Shaun Was Comforted by The Holy Spirit Through The Loss of His Father

My Mum and Dad started going to the Revival Fellowship in New Plymouth before I was around - so I was lucky enough to grow up in the Lord, learning about the Holy Spirit (and baptism by full immersion), and just enjoying growing up in a Spirit-filled family. When I was about 11, I started seeking the Spirit - because I knew that I needed it myself so I could have a personal relationship with God. I received the Holy Spirit a year later and spoke out in tongues at a national kids’ camp - and so my walk with the Lord officially began!

The biggest trial the Lord has helped me to overcome happened when I was 15. My Dad passed away suddenly in a motorbike accident. He was a huge role model for me (both naturally as well as spiritually), and it came as a real shock, not just to me but to my family and the rest of the fellowship as well. Having being brought up in the Lord, I was confused and kind of hurt with God to begin with - it was an accident and happened so quickly that
I didn’t even have the opportunity to pray for a healing or anything like that. For a while, I didn’t actually know what I was supposed to pray for. But I can really praise the Lord for His Spirit because it was then that I learned why it’s called the comforter. Over time, I realised that being able to seek the Lord for strength - as well as having the support of the friends in the fellowship - really helped to give me direction and perspective when I was definitely on the verge of being lost. It’s also still a great comfort to know that Dad is now resting in the Lord. He was born again and walking with God - so he’s actually made it!

Since then, the Lord blessed me in way too many ways to write briefly - all I can say is that I continue and trust that He’ll always be there as a guide and protector (through anything in this life) - and I’m truly thankful that He’s filled me with His Spirit, and given me a hope, a future, and a new life with Him! Amen!

Shaun is a member of The Revival Fellowship - New Plymouth, New Zealand