Led by His SpiritSample

Viktor Frankl was a prominent Jewish psychologist in Vienna during the 1930s. During the Holocaust, he and virtually all of his family members were rounded up and placed in concentration camps. One by one they perished at the hands of the Nazis. By the time the American army liberated the camp Frankl was in, the only surviving member of his family was a sister who had fled to Australia before the war started.

After the war, Frankl wrote a book about his experiences called Man’s Search for Meaning. He detailed the suffering he endured, but he also noted that one’s attitude and outlook impacted whether a person survived that awful experience. Though Frankl was not a believer, he had hit upon an important truth found in Scripture. The spirit of man—our thoughts and emotions—plays a vital role in our success or failure in life.

As believers, we have a source beyond our human spirit—we have the Holy Spirit. While the human spirit can indeed sustain a person through hardship, the Spirit of God provides strength and renewal that goes far beyond human capacity. Paul wrote, “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16). This renewal comes through the Holy Spirit, who dwells within us and enables us to face life’s challenges with peace and resilience.

The Holy Spirit not only sustains us but also transforms our response to difficulties. Jesus promised His followers, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you” (John 14:26–27). The Spirit gives us peace that transcends circumstances and strength that sustains us through the hardest trials.