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Spiritual Meaning Of Hand Tremors

    What does shaking hands symbolize? In this article, I will explore the spiritual meaning of hand tremors and the essential tremor spiritual meaning. Hand tremors are when your hands shake or quiver involuntarily, usually caused by anxiety or stress. Hand tremors are often associated with a medical condition known as essential tremor .

    Hand tremors are the uncontrolled movements of fingers, which are common and can be caused by several factors. Hand tremors may be a result of neurological disorders that affect the arms, neck, or even the entire body. However, many hand tremors are associated with medication side effects, liver disease, and alcohol abuse. In this article we explore the spiritual significance of hand tremors.

    The spiritual meaning of hand tremors is that you’re in need of help. Your hands are the tools you use to create and build things, and when they shake, it means that something is not going as planned. You may feel like you’re all alone and have no one who can help you, but the truth is that there are people around you who want to help.

    When your hands tremble, it’s important to reach out to those people and let them know what’s happening in your life. This will allow them to offer more support than they otherwise would have been able to offer if they hadn’t known about your problem.

    Churchgists has provided a well detailed information on the aforementioned and so much more. You will find these details very useful in whatever course you intend to use them for.

    Spiritual Meaning Of Hand Tremors

    There are many different possible meanings for the spiritual meaning of hand tremors. The first is that you may have been a part of something that was not spiritually sound, and your body is trying to tell you that it does not agree with what happened. Another possibility is that you have not been taking care of your body well enough and it has begun to rebel against whatever abuse you have been inflicting on it.

    A third possibility is that you are being told that it is time for you to make some changes in your life and start living more responsibly. Your hands may be shaking because they are trying to get your attention so that they can help guide you towards making better choices. Hand tremors are a common symptom of Parkinson’s disease, but it’s important to remember that they’re not always a sign of Parkinson’s


    Hand tremors can be a frustrating and concerning experience for many people. While they are often associated with medical conditions like Parkinson’s disease, there are also spiritual meanings that can be attributed to this physical symptom. Here are some possible spiritual interpretations of hand tremors:1. A Sign of Spiritual Discomfort


    One possible explanation for hand tremors is that they are a sign of spiritual discomfort. Your body may be reacting to something that is not spiritually sound, causing your hands to shake. It could be a warning sign that you need to reevaluate your actions and make amends for any harm you may have caused.


    2. A Call for Self-care

    Another spiritual meaning of hand tremors is that it may be a message for you to take better care of yourself. If you have been neglecting your physical, emotional, or spiritual well-being, your body may be rebelling against the abuse you have been inflicting on it. It’s important to listen to these signals and prioritize self-care.


    3. A Signal for Life Changes

    Hand tremors could also be a sign that it is time for you to make some changes in your life. Your hands shaking may be a way for your body to get your attention and guide you towards making better choices. Pay attention to what your body is telling you and be open to making necessary adjustments for your overall well-being.


    4. An Invitation for Spiritual Growth

    Lastly, hand tremors could be seen as an invitation for spiritual growth. This physical symptom may be urging you to delve deeper into your spiritual practice, connect with your inner self, and seek guidance from a higher power. Embrace this opportunity for spiritual enlightenment and transformation.


    There are many stories and passages in the Bible that speak to the importance of listening to our bodies and heeding spiritual signals. One relevant verse is Corinthians 6:19-20, which states, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.”



    Just as our physical bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, our hand tremors can be a manifestation of spiritual messages that we need to heed. By paying attention to these signals and seeking spiritual guidance, we can embark on a journey of self-discovery, healing, and growth.

    Right hand shaking Holy Spirit

    Scripture describes shaking as both amazing and terrifying. It was amazing that “the place where they had gathered together was shaken and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness” following the disciples’ prayer. Acts 4:31 I wished I could have seen it.

    I really hope I don’t survive to witness another kind of shaking. There is a time still coming (commonly termed the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord) that God spoke of via Isaiah the prophet. “Therefore, I will cause the earth to tremble and the heavens to tremble.” (Isaiah 13:13) I’d prefer not to do that! However, God is in the shaking in each of these instances.

    Shaking is a common tool used by God to bring about change in both the natural and spiritual worlds. Shaking can convey his authority and presence in the workplace. Therefore, it is not at all unusual for intense prayer to be accompanied with shaking or, perhaps, merely a trembling inside. In the same way, people frequently experience pressure (sometimes in only one area of their body) and occasionally heat.

    Consider this: there is typically a physical reaction when God appears. Take note of what transpired when Daniel saw the angel Gabriel. “Yet no strength was left in me, for my natural color turned to a deathly pallor and I retained no strength,” he said in describing his reaction. “A hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees,” the person said afterwards.Daniel 10:9–10 We benefit from Daniel taking the time to explain what occurred to him, so I’m delighted he did!

    I’m not sure why some individuals see these kinds of Holy Spirit manifestations while others don’t. I have no idea what’s happening on a spiritual level to cause it. I have no idea how or why God employs it in prayer. Though I think some spiritual rules are in play, I have learned over time that God does not always make all of his spiritual laws clear to us. Our best teacher is experience. After a while, a lot of individuals understand what’s going on and what to do when these things happen.

    I believe you are making the appropriate decision in this instance. Continue to pray, especially until you feel a lifting. Keep your focus on God and don’t let any physical sensations divert you. Take note of what is going on around these events and make notes. In that vein, you might find it beneficial to hear from folks you pray for if you experience any shaking, pressure, etc. Find out later what their feelings were. Were they cured? Has anything changed on their end?

    As time passes and you come to grasp this more and more for yourself, please share with the rest of us! May God richly reward your ministry.

    An involuntary, rhythmic contraction of the muscles that gives the appearance of a body part shaking or trembling is called a tremor. Everybody trembles a little bit when they move or hold a certain position.

    Frequently, they are so little that no one can see or notice them. When a person is agitated or nervous, or holds their hands out in front of their body, hand tremors may be more obvious.

    Hand tremors are the most common type. But it can also happen in other bodily parts, such the following: Trusted Source:

    the torso, the arms, the legs, and the head
    the larynx, or voice box, which could result in a trembling voice
    There are various sorts of tremors. But the majority fit into one of two groups:

    Tremors at rest: These happen while the hands are lying on the lap or other comfortable position.
    Action tremors: These happen when a voluntary movement contracts the muscles. Action tremors make up the majority of tremors.
    Tremors can occasionally be a sign of an underlying medical condition, particularly if they are severe or chronic.

    What factors lead to trembling hands?
    Tremors can be caused by neurological disorders, other medical issues, prescription drug use, or natural physiological processes. The possible reasons for hand tremors are listed below.

    .

    What Does Shaking Hands Symbolize

    A hand tremor is an involuntary shaking or trembling that can affect your hands, arms, legs, or feet. Tremors may be fine and rapid (called chorea), or coarse and slow (called rigidity). They can be continuous or come and go. Sometimes they’ll happen when you’re resting and other times they’ll only occur when you’re actively doing something (like holding something).

    Hand tremors are most often caused by Parkinson’s disease, but they can also be caused by other conditions such as essential tremor, dystonia (a neurological condition that causes muscle contractions), Wilson’s disease (a rare genetic disorder that affects the nervous system), Huntington’s disease (an inherited brain disorder characterized by uncontrolled movements) and drug abuse.

    Tremor is an involuntary, rhythmic muscle contraction leading to shaking movements in one or more parts of the body. It is a common movement disorder that most often affects the hands but can also occur in the arms, head, vocal cords, torso, and legs. Tremor may be intermittent (occurring at separate times, with breaks) or constant. It can occur sporadically (on its own) or happen as a result of another disorder.

    • Tremor is most common among middle-aged and older adults, although it can occur at any age. The disorder generally affects men and women equally.
    • Tremor is not life threatening. However, it can be embarrassing and even disabling, making it difficult or even impossible to perform work and daily life tasks.

    What are the symptoms and signs of tremors?

    Symptoms of tremor may include:

    • a rhythmic shaking in the hands, arms, head, legs, or torso
    • shaky voice
    • difficulty writing or drawing
    • problems holding and controlling utensils, such as a spoon

    Some tremor may be triggered by or become worse during times of stress or strong emotion, when an individual is physically exhausted, or when a person is in certain postures or makes certain movements.

    What Are the Symptoms and Signs of Hyperthyroidism?

    Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) is a condition in which there is an excessive amount of thyroid hormones.

    • Tremors
    • Restlessness
    • Rapid heart rate
    • Frequent bowel movements
    • Heat intolerance
    • Weight loss
    • Sweating

    What causes tremors?

    Generally, tremor is caused by a problem in the deep parts of the brain that control movements. Most types of tremor have no known cause, although there are some forms that appear to be inherited and run in families.

    Tremor can occur on its own or be a symptom associated with a number of neurological disorders, including:

    • multiple sclerosis
    • stroke
    • traumatic brain injury
    • neurodegenerative diseases that affect parts of the brain (e.g., Parkinson’s disease)

    Some other known causes can include:

    • the use of certain medicines (particular asthma medication, amphetamines, caffeine, corticosteroids, and drugs used for certain psychiatric and neurological disorders)
    • alcohol abuse or withdrawal
    • mercury poisoning
    • overactive thyroid
    • liver or kidney failure
    • anxiety or panic

    What are the types or tremors?

    Tremor is most commonly classified by its appearance and cause or origin. There are more than 20 types of tremor. Some of the most common forms of tremor include:

    Essential tremor

    Essential tremor (previously also called benign essential tremor or familial tremor) is one of the most common movement disorders. The exact cause of essential tremor is unknown. For some people this tremor is mild and remains stable for many years. The tremor usually appears on both sides of the body, but is often noticed more in the dominant hand because it is an action tremor.

    The key feature of essential tremor is a tremor in both hands and arms, which is present during action and when standing still. Additional symptoms may include head tremor (e.g., a “yes” or “no” motion) without abnormal posturing of the head and a shaking or quivering sound to the voice if the tremor affects the voice box. The action tremor in both hands in essential tremor can lead to problems with writing, drawing, drinking from a cup, or using tools or a computer.

    Tremor frequency (how “fast” the tremor shakes) may decrease as the person ages, but the severity may increase, affecting the person’s ability to perform certain tasks or activities of daily living. Heightened emotion, stress, fever, physical exhaustion, or low blood sugar may trigger tremor and/or increase its severity. Though the tremor can start at any age, it most often appears for the first time during adolescence or in middle age (between ages 40 and 50). Small amounts of alcohol may help decrease essential tremor, but the mechanism behind this is unknown.

    About 50 percent of the cases of essential tremor are thought to be caused by a genetic risk factor (referred to as familial tremor). Children of a parent who has familial tremor have greater risk of inheriting the condition. Familial forms of essential tremor often appear early in life.

    For many years essential tremor was not associated with any known disease. However, some scientists think essential tremor is accompanied by a mild degeneration of certain areas of the brain that control movement. This is an ongoing debate in the research field.

    Dystonic tremor

    Dystonic tremor occurs in people who are affected by dystonia — a movement disorder where incorrect messages from the brain cause muscles to be overactive, resulting in abnormal postures or sustained, unwanted movements. Dystonic tremor usually appears in young or middle-aged adults and can affect any muscle in the body. Symptoms may sometimes be relieved by complete relaxation.

    Although some of the symptoms are similar, dystonic tremor differs from essential tremor in some ways. The dystonic tremor:

    • is associated with abnormal body postures due to forceful muscle spasms or cramps
    • can affect the same parts of the body as essential tremor, but also — and more often than essential tremor — the head, without any other movement in the hands or arms
    • can also mimic resting tremor, such as the one seen in Parkinson’s disease.
    • Also, the severity of dystonic tremor may be reduced by touching the affected body part or muscle, and tremor movements are “jerky” or irregular instead of rhythmic.

    Cerebellar tremor

    Cerebellar tremor is typically a slow, high-amplitude (easily visible) tremor of the extremities (e.g., arm, leg) that occurs at the end of a purposeful movement such as trying to press a button. It is caused by damage to the cerebellum and its pathways to other brain regions resulting from a stroke or tumor. Damage also may be caused by disease such as multiple sclerosis or an inherited degenerative disorder such as ataxia (in which people lose muscle control in the arms and legs) and Fragile X syndrome (a disorder marked by a range of intellectual and developmental problems). It can also result from chronic damage to the cerebellum due to alcoholism.

    Psychogenic tremor

    Psychogenic tremor (also called functional tremor) can appear as any form of tremor. Its symptoms may vary but often start abruptly and may affect all body parts. The tremor increases in times of stress and decreases or disappears when distracted. Many individuals with psychogenic tremor have an underlying psychiatric disorder such as depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

    Physiologic tremor

    Physiologic tremor occurs in all healthy individuals. It is rarely visible to the eye and typically involves a fine shaking of both of the hands and also the fingers. It is not considered a disease but is a normal human phenomenon that is the result of physical properties in the body (for example, rhythmical activities such as heart beat and muscle activation).

    Enhanced physiologic tremor

    Enhanced physiological tremor is a more noticeable case of physiologic tremor that can be easily seen. It is generally not caused by a neurological disease but by reaction to certain drugs, alcohol withdrawal, or medical conditions including an overactive thyroid and hypoglycemia. It is usually reversible once the cause is corrected.

    Parkinsonian tremor

    Parkinsonian tremor is a common symptom of Parkinson’s disease, although not all people with Parkinson’s disease have tremor. Generally, symptoms include shaking in one or both hands at rest. It may also affect the chin, lips, face, and legs. The tremor may initially appear in only one limb or on just one side of the body. As the disease progresses, it may spread to both sides of the body. The tremor is often made worse by stress or strong emotions. More than 25 percent of people with Parkinson’s disease also have an associated action tremor.

    Orthostatic tremor

    Orthostatic tremor is a rare disorder characterized by rapid muscle contractions in the legs that occur when standing. People typically experience feelings of unsteadiness or imbalance, causing them to immediately attempt to sit or walk. Because the tremor has such a high frequency (very fast shaking) it may not be visible to the naked eye but can be felt by touching the thighs or calves or can be detected by a doctor examining the muscles with a stethoscope. In some cases the tremor can become more severe over time. The cause of orthostatic tremor is unknown.

    What are resting and action tremors?

    Tremor can be classified into two main categories:

    Resting tremor occurs when the muscle is relaxed, such as when the hands are resting on the lap. With this disorder, a person’s hands, arms, or legs may shake even when they are at rest. Often, the tremor only affects the hand or fingers. This type of tremor is often seen in people with Parkinson’s disease and is called a “pillrolling” tremor because the circular finger and hand movements resemble rolling of small objects or pills in the hand.

    Action tremor occurs with the voluntary movement of a muscle. Most types of tremor are considered action tremor. There are several sub-classifications of action tremor, many of which overlap.

    • Postural tremor occurs when a person maintains a position against gravity, such as holding the arms outstretched.
    • Kinetic tremor is associated with any voluntary movement, such as moving the wrists up and down or closing and opening the eyes.
    • Intention tremor is produced with purposeful movement toward a target, such as lifting a finger to touch the nose. Typically the tremor will become worse as an individual gets closer to their target.
    • Task-specific tremor only appears when performing highly-skilled, goal-oriented tasks such as handwriting or speaking.
    • Isometric tremor occurs during a voluntary muscle contraction that is not accompanied by any movement such as holding a heavy book or a dumbbell in the same position.

    What procedures and tests diagnose tremors?

    Tremor is diagnosed based on a physical and neurological examination and an individual’s medical history. During the physical evaluation, a doctor will assess the tremor based on:

    • whether the tremor occurs when the muscles are at rest or in action
    • the location of the tremor on the body (and if it occurs on one or both sides of the body)
    • the appearance of the tremor (tremor frequency and amplitude).

    The doctor will also check other neurological findings such as impaired balance, speech abnormalities, or increased muscle stiffness. Blood or urine tests can rule out metabolic causes such as thyroid malfunction and certain medications that can cause tremor. These tests may also help to identify contributing causes such as drug interactions, chronic alcoholism, or other conditions or diseases. Diagnostic imaging may help determine if the tremor is the result of damage in the brain.

    Additional tests may be administered to determine functional limitations such as difficulty with handwriting or the ability to hold a fork or cup. Individuals may be asked to perform a series of tasks or exercises such as placing a finger on the tip of their nose or drawing a spiral.

    The doctor may order an electromyogram to diagnose muscle or nerve problems. This test measures involuntary muscle activity and muscle response to nerve stimulation.

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    What is the treatment for tremors?

    Although there is no cure for most forms of tremor, treatment options are available to help manage symptoms. In some cases, a person’s symptoms may be mild enough that they do not require treatment.

    Finding an appropriate treatment depends on an accurate diagnosis of the cause. Tremor caused by underlying health problems can sometimes be improved or eliminated entirely with treatment. For example, tremor due to thyroid hyperactivity will improve or even resolve (return to the normal state) with treatment of thyroid malfunction. Also, if tremor is caused by medication, discontinuing the tremor-causing drug may reduce or eliminate this tremor.

    If there is no underlying cause for tremor that can be modified, available treatment options include:

    Medication

    • Beta-blocking drugs such as propranolol are normally used to treat high blood pressure but they also help treat essential tremor. Propranolol can also be used in some people with other types of action tremor. Other beta-blockers that may be used include atenolol, metoprolol, nadolol, and sotalol.
    • Anti-seizure medications such as primidone can be effective in people with essential tremor who do not respond to beta-blockers. Other medications that may be prescribed include gabapentin and topiramate. However, it is important to note that some anti-seizure medications can cause tremor.
    • Tranquilizers (also known as benzodiazepines) such as alprazolam and clonazepam may temporarily help some people with tremor. However, their use is limited due to unwanted side effects that include sleepiness, poor concentration, and poor coordination. This can affect the ability of people to perform daily activities such as driving, school, and work. Also, when taken regularly, tranquilizers can cause physical dependence and when stopped abruptly can cause several withdrawal symptoms.
    • Parkinson’s disease medications (levodopa, carbidopa) are used to treat tremor associated with Parkinson’s disease.
    • Botulinum toxin injections can treat almost all types of tremor. It is especially useful for head tremor, which generally does not respond to medications. Botulinum toxin is widely used to control dystonic tremor. Although botulinum toxin injections can improve tremor for roughly three months at a time, they can also cause muscle weakness. While this treatment is effective and usually well tolerated for head tremor, botulinum toxin treatment in the hands can cause weakness in the fingers. It can cause a hoarse voice and difficulty swallowing when used to treat voice tremor.

    Focused Ultrasound

    A new treatment for essential tremor uses magnetic resonance images to deliver focused ultrasound to create a lesion in tiny areas of the brain’s thalamus thought to be responsible for causing the tremors. The treatment is approved only for those individuals with essential tremor who do not respond well to anticonvulsant or beta-blocking drugs.

    Surgery

    When people do not respond to drug therapies or have a severe tremor that significantly impacts their daily life, a doctor may recommend surgical interventions such as deep brain stimulation (DBS) or very rarely, thalamotomy. While DBS is usually well tolerated, the most common side effects of tremor surgery include dysarthria (trouble speaking) and balance problems.

    • Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is the most common form of surgical treatment of tremor. This method is preferred because it is effective, has low risk, and treats a broader range of symptoms than thalamotomy. The treatment uses surgically implanted electrodes to send high-frequency electrical signals to the thalamus, the deep structure of the brain that coordinates and controls some involuntary movements. A small pulse-generating device placed under the skin in the upper chest (similar to a pacemaker) sends electrical stimuli to the brain and temporarily disables the tremor. DBS is currently used to treat parkinsonian tremor, essential tremor, and dystonia.
    • Thalamotomy is a surgical procedure that involves the precise, permanent destruction of a tiny area in the thalamus. Currently, surgery is replaced by radiofrequency ablation to treat severe tremor when deep brain surgery is contraindicated — meaning it is unwise as a treatment option or has undesirable side effects. Radiofrequency ablation uses a radio wave to generate an electric current that heats up a nerve and disrupts its signaling ability for typically six or more months. It is usually performed on only one side of the brain to improve tremor on the opposite side of the body. Surgery on both sides is not recommended as it can cause problems with speech.

    Lifestyle changes

    • Physical, speech-language, and occupational therapy may help to control tremor and meet daily challenges caused by the tremor. A physical therapist can help people improve their muscle control, functioning, and strength through coordination, balancing, and other exercises. Some therapists recommend the use of weights, splints, other adaptive equipment, and special plates and utensils for eating. Speech-language pathologists can evaluate and treat speech, language, communication, and swallowing disorders. Occupational therapists can teach individuals new ways of performing activities of daily living that may be affected by tremor.
    • Eliminating or reducing tremor-inducing substances such as caffeine and other medication (such as stimulants) can help improve tremor. Though small amounts of alcohol can improve tremor for some people, tremor can become worse once the effects of the alcohol wear off.

    Essential Tremor Spiritual Meaning

    It’s no secret that essential tremor is a real pain in the neck. The most common cause of involuntary shaking, ET can make it difficult to do even the simplest tasks—like eating or drinking with a spoon—which can be frustrating and embarrassing for those who suffer from it.

    But there’s good news: ET has spiritual meaning! Or, at least, some people believe that it does. Some Christians believe that ET is a sign from God that you’re not living your life to the fullest. They believe that if you have ET, it means you should stop what you’re doing and reassess your priorities. They say that if you’re trying to do something important but can’t because of your ET, you should take a step back and reevaluate whether or not it’s really worth it for you.

    Other people think ET is just a symptom of anxiety or stress—and they encourage sufferers to take care of themselves physically by getting enough sleep and exercise, eating right, and seeing a doctor if necessary. But these folks also believe that spiritual healing is possible through prayer and meditation.

    Shaking Under The Anointing

    The word anointing actually means to be smeared with oil or ointment. In the Old Testament, new kings would have oil poured on them, symbolic of the Holy Spirit coming upon them to enable the person to function in the office into which God had placed him. This practice was followed for commissioning prophets, priests, and kings. That’s what happens when the Holy Spirit comes on us—we are smeared with the oil of His presence. It gets all over us, from our head to our feet, and we are empowered to be kings and priests and prophets on the earth. We have been anointed.

    We are talking about a life-giving Spirit. In John 6:63, Jesus says, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.” This is weighty; He says here that without the Spirit, anything you do is not profitable. In Luke 4, Jesus makes the bold claim, “The Spirit of the Lord…has anointed Me” (Luke 4:18). Even Jesus couldn’t do ministry without the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

    John Piper describes the Holy Spirit this way: “The Holy Spirit is the eternal love that flows between the Father and the Son as they delight in each other.” Wow. The eternal love that flows. That’s weighty. And it is weighty when the anointing comes upon you; that’s why so many people find themselves knocked down. It also explains why so many find such joy (laughter) or they shake and roll on the floor. When the “eternal love” comes upon you, it might make you shake.

    Go Deeper

    The deeper we go in the anointing, the less control we might have. Galatians 5:22-23 tells us that there is fruit that comes with the anointing, including love and joy and peace— and self-control. But self-control means God gives you control over you to defeat issues of sin and wrong choices, not to have control over the Holy Spirit. When we say, “Come Holy Spirit,” we want Him to come and do whatever He wants to do. To the world, that might look messy or out of control. But when you’re under the anointing, you’re not out of control; you’re gloriously under His control.There was a time I was in New Zealand, and some of the guys I was with told me that the best fishing in the world is in the rivers there in New Zealand. So I made a point of having a couple of extra days just to check out their claims.It had just rained like crazy, and so, for whatever reason, we didn’t even see a trace of a fish, much less catch one on a hook. But I did go into the river with some hip waders on. When I waded in so the water was just over my feet, I was fine. No problem. Then I went a little further in, about up to my knees, and it was a little more work to stay in place. I didn’t want to fall down. I could feel the current of the river, and who knew where it would take me. By the time we waded in up to our waists, I realized we were really no longer in control here.The Holy Spirit is like that. When we wade in a little bit, things are still mostly under our control. But the deeper we go, the more the Holy Spirit can direct us, and before we know it we’re gloriously in over our heads in Him. At that point, He’s in control, and we go where He wants us to go.There are so many analogies to describe the Holy Spirit— river, fire, wind, rain, oil, and even wine. With each one of these things, the more of it there is, the less control we have over it. When we come under the anointing, the smearing of the Holy Spirit, we get filled to overflowing.

    Ministry

    There’s something more that happens in our hearts as we get immersed in the Holy Spirit. The more of Him we receive, the more of Him we can contain. It’s as if the more anointing we get, the more anointing we can carry. This is how the “outward” part of our journey works — we get so full of the Holy Spirit that it overflows.This overflow is what we might call “ministry.” Probably the greatest revival ever was recorded in the book of Acts. The whole Roman world was completely converted to Christianity. Think about that for a minute—how do you take a pagan world that worshiped all the many gods of Greece and Rome, had it all thoroughly entrenched in their culture—including worshiping the emperor mingled with rampant sensuality and all kinds of other crazy things going on—and make a real difference? Imagine going to Caesar and saying, “

    A couple hundred years from now, your whole empire will turn away from the gods of Greece and Rome and will worship the Jewish God as He is revealed through Messiah Jesus. How do you like that?”What would Caesar have said? Probably that you were crazy, that it would never happen. He would probably have you executed for suggesting such a thing. But it did happen, because those who had received from the Holy Spirit were ministering out of that river.

    The Integrity of the Minister

    Without this anointing of the Spirit, we are ministering in the flesh. We certainly don’t want to settle for that. Sometimes we are impressed with ministers and leaders who are anointed, but what if the character or integrity of that minister doesn’t seem to match the anointing? No one is perfect, of course, and we live with the provision of grace and forgiveness, but don’t mistake grace for license and a lack of integrity. It’s important that the character of the minister is growing to match the character of the Holy Spirit in whom he or she ministers. For us as ministers, as we seek revival, we need to work on our character. We want to be Christlike in character and anointing.

    Ministering under the anointing can be heady stuff. It can be exhilarating. And it is. It’s more fun than I’ve ever had. But sometimes the attention you get from what happens when you minister can go to your head. It can play to your woundedness, your insecurity, and it’s easier than you might think to make it about you and how gifted you are rather than God and how it’s all about Him. It’s easy to fall into a “look at me, watch me” kind of thing. We might call that pride—which can actually stop up the river. It’s the flesh, not the Spirit.

    But humility—recognizing that without God I can do nothing—is the thing that will keep your spirit open and ready to receive when He pours out. I think that’s why God loves to knock us down; it’s hard to be prideful when you’re laughing and shaking in front of everybody. As we look forward to a greater wave of Holy Spirit anointing, we need to stay humble. We need to stay in a place where we’re ready to receive, no matter what it looks like—no matter what it may do to our pride. In fact, we should be ready to lay down our pride. Crucify it. We only boast in Jesus.

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