Dear Kianna,
How do I know that the Holy Spirit is working in my life?
— Wondering
Dear Wondering,
Many of my students pose this question, wondering if the same Holy Spirit who came upon the disciples at Pentecost — giving them courage, joy and great faith — is also working in their hearts today.
First, know that the Holy Spirit has always been, and will never cease, working in our lives. He provides inspiration that directs our words and actions — maybe through something we read or think, through other people or through the experiences of our daily lives.
The gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit are blessings we desire to cultivate in our lives. What are they? The seven gifts of the Spirit are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord. The 12 fruits of the Holy Spirit are charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control and chastity.
We may not recognize the workings of the Spirit, but every time you experience any of these gifts and fruits, you are experiencing the blessing and power of the Holy Spirit within you.
We can foster a deeper awareness of the Holy Spirit’s presence by praying, spending time in silence or examining our lives.
For example, I often feel an inclination to stop and spend a few moments to recenter myself with the Lord in prayer. When I do listen and pause what I’m doing, I’m filled with deep peace and joy. Other times, I’ve felt a seemingly random inspiration to reach out to a family member or friend who I haven’t talked to for a while. When I have followed through, it has always brought so much joy and comfort to others.
These moments were not coincidental; rather, it was the Holy Spirit who planted the seeds of inspiration for me to follow. You might recognize the Spirit working in your life in similar small ways as well as when you’re facing life-changing decisions.
It was the Holy Spirit who led me to discover and encounter Jesus in a more dynamic way and strive to be his disciple. The Holy Spirit has guided me during moments of deep suffering and trial. He led me to discover my vocation and meet my amazing fiancé. And it is the Holy Spirit who leads me on the journey toward eternal life with our Lord.
If you want to understand how the Holy Spirit is working in your life, I invite you to:
• Pray to the Holy Spirit and ask him to lead you — something as simple as, “Come, Holy Spirit.”
• Be aware of inclinations and stirrings within your heart. Acknowledge they are not just random or coincidental.
• Remember the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit, and that when you experience one of them, you are experiencing the presence of the Spirit.
Come, Holy Spirit, come!