Grim Determination or The Mind Controlled By the Spirit?

12/5/2018

This morning as I was heading for work, the dreariness and darkness of the day was weighing on me. I know better than to give into that, so I adopted this grim determination to be cheerful even if it killed me. For some reason it didn’t work. ;) So I remembered the exhortation that has so often been the way when the world has felt dark inside and outside:

Rejoice always. Pray continually. Give thanks in every situation because this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

I have never found a situation where I couldn’t worship God, pray for others, and sincerely thank Jesus for dozens of real blessings. I can’t manufacture feelings. My brain can’t fix itself. But I know that if I submit to God‘s will in these simple ways everything will be OK! This is not theory. It’s not even simply scripture. I have proved it in my own little life hundreds of times! The mind controlled by the Spirit really is life and peace.

And the rest of the context in 1 Thessalonians is also simple and full of potential and life. Flawed, weak, barely rational people really can follow Jesus and experience His peace! Only Jesus could squeeze such an amazing adventure into one simple paragraph. I’m crying just reading it again. —Z

xoxox

Brothers and sisters, we ask you to respect those who are working with you, leading you, and instructing you. Think of them highly with love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are disorderly. Comfort the discouraged. Help the weak. Be patient with everyone. Make sure no one repays a wrong with a wrong, but always pursue the good for each other and everyone else. Rejoice always. Pray continually. Give thanks in every situation because this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Don’t suppress the Spirit. Don’t brush off Spirit-inspired messages, but examine everything carefully and hang on to what is good. Avoid every kind of evil. Now, may the God of peace himself cause you to be completely dedicated to him; and may your spirit, soul, and body be kept intact and blameless at our Lord Jesus Christ’s coming. The one who is calling you is faithful and will do this.

8:29 a.m.