What Happens When the Holy Spirit Suddenly Reminds of What You Once Disliked
I have been attending church since before I was born. However, when I got married to my husband, I committed my life to Christ in a new way—having a desire to have a relationship with Him and requesting that He come into my everyday life. In doing so, I made major changes in how I operate in my business, in my personal life, and in my walk in general. That meant seeing things through a different lens.
Years ago, when something bad would happen, people would quote the Bible verse Romans 8:28: “And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.” I used to be so upset about that verse because I thought, When bad stuff happens, how can you say that to me?
Until last year.
Am I the Problem?
Last year marked my third anniversary as co-owner of a business with someone I had considered my friend. We had created a very successful company with employees, and we were thriving. Unfortunately, due to personal circumstances, my co-owner had to take a leave of absence, leaving me to handle the responsibilities alone.
At the same time, I faced personal challenges that caused emotional distress while still running the business. During that season, insurance companies audited us, and we discovered our staff were not completing their notes accurately—or at all. The audit was hectic and resulted in penalties. I had to work 70 hours a week for about five weeks, which caused me to be very direct and to the point—something that upset the staff who weren’t completing their tasks.
The staff then complained to my co-owner and threatened that if she didn’t remove me, they would leave and take the clients with them. The thought of the loss of that income scared her. She requested a meeting and told me I had to make a choice: leave the company, be bought out, or dissolve the business. I was not okay with any of it. I felt boxed into a corner and called an attorney.
While explaining everything to the attorney, I was fervently praying because I knew I had a strong, healthy relationship with Christ and trusted His judgment and will for this situation. I leaned into that relationship and communicated constantly with the Holy Spirit, yet it felt like the world was crashing around me. Besides my personal distress, now my business was crumbling.
All I could think was, Am I the common denominator? What have I done wrong, Lord? How can I fix this?
Ultimately, the attorney discovered that my co-owner had been making illegal and destructive decisions that my attorney was able to stop. The Holy Spirit kept reminding me, I’ve got this. We’re going to fix this. I continued to lean into the Word of God. Though I couldn’t see a light at the end of the tunnel, it felt as though I was in the eye of a storm—a small piece of calm surrounded by chaos.
I was grateful for that calm, even knowing I’d have to walk back through the storm to get out. Yet, like a hurricane, I knew there was an “outside” to the storm. I just had to keep moving and praying.
Then blessings began to unfold.
First, the Lord gave me wisdom to make decisions that secured the business. Second, He gave me the strength and confidence to step out on my own and create a new, completely Christian-based business. It’s now growing and thriving.
Third, I began to write again—something I hadn’t done in years. Three different poems poured out of me, and I know that was the Holy Spirit’s wisdom.
The Verse I Once Disliked
Although that season was difficult, discouraging, and at times depressing, the Holy Spirit kept reminding me of that verse I once disliked: “All things work together for good.” Now I understand it.
I am so grateful that God walks with me when Satan tries to kill, steal, and destroy—when he tries to block blessings or attack my mind. God says, I’m still with you, and if you still want that relationship with Me, we’re going to get through this storm.
I want to encourage you to lean into the kind of relationship God has for you—because there is no better one. Though I had many days of crying, and my husband held me tight through those tears, I would do it all over again to see what I see now: two thriving businesses, a deeper desire for God’s plan, and growth in my heart—personally and professionally—for who I’m meant to be, who I represent, and who I care for.
Gratitude allows us to know God as the gift giver, the one who provides all that we need. As we walk through the hard, we count the blessings, and we look for the gifts, the small miracles that sustain us along the way.
Meet Pastor Sarah Jane Ho
Pastor Sarah Jane Ho is a wife, mother of five, pastor, and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor who writes to glorify God through truth, love, and a touch of humor. With degrees in Christian Studies and Professional Counseling from Grand Canyon University, Sarah has served in ministry for over 17 years as a youth, care, and women’s pastor, as well as lead pastor. Her passion is helping others grow in their walk with Christ and embrace their God-given potential. When she’s not counseling, speaking, or writing, she enjoys the simple joys of family life, tending her garden, and finding peace in God’s stillness.
Where to find her . . .
Begin Within is a series to inspire a year-round lifestyle of gratitude that will impact not only your own life, but the lives of your neighbors as well. Gratitude is a theme we talk about often around here because it ties so closely into other missional living rhythms. Practicing gratitude reminds to keep our hearts soft and expectant and our eyes open. Therefore, the more we embrace gratitude, the easier it becomes to truly see our neighbors and where we can join what God is already doing in our neighborhoods.
If you would like to contribute to Begin Within, you can find the submission guidelines here.
