A Controlled Mind and Believing God in the Day to Day

Romans 8:6 “...but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.”

On a recent Sunday at church our small group discussed Romans 7:15-17 in depth.  It’s a bit of a tongue twister discussing the struggle of not doing what we want to do even though we know it is the “right” thing.  I’ve been mulling these thoughts around in my mind ever since.  Then, last week as I read from my Jesus Calling devotional, I was reminded

“When My Spirit is controlling your mind, you are filled with Life and Peace.”

Ah, yes.  Herein lays the Life and Peace we all crave. 

The walking with,
the leaning into,
the carrying through of our positive intentions.

It isn’t in our own strength that we accomplish anything.  

Not on the horrible days where breathing is truly painful and we are full-on collapsed in the arms of our Savior.  

But also, not on the seemingly simple days where we feel more comfortable walking beside Him, simply holding His hand and cherishing His presence.

Recently a friend said to me, “I know what it looks like to believe God in the fire of the trial, but what does it look like in the day to day life?”

I think this is part of that picture. 

Filling ourselves with God each day,
aligning our thoughts and heart with Him,
remaining in communication with Him, even when life is smooth sailing;
it’s all part of our dependence on Him.  

Our belief that He is Who He says He is and that we are who He says we are.  It revolves around our realization that we are sinners.  Our minds are corrupt.  We cannot do what we know is right on our own accord. 

Sometimes I think it is easy for us to discuss others who “need” a Savior because we rank their sin as more severe than our own.  Reality says we are ALL sinners and in need of salvation.  Trust me, if Eve hadn’t eaten the apple and allowed sin to enter the Garden of Eden…I would have.  I am a wretched sinner who has been saved by grace.  And quite honestly, my sins don’t necessarily rank “up there” in the world’s list of bad things.  That’s part of the issue, we like to rank our sins and deem ourselves as more worthy than “those people”.  That is a lie that comes directly from Satan.  We are ALL sinners.  We ALL need the redemptive blood of Jesus Christ to wash over our lives and save us.

Then, in the day to day living out of our belief in God, we find that our reliance must be on Him for all things, big and small.  Even when we think we are comfortable cruising through this life.  Possibly mostly when we are in the comfy phase.  Maybe some people truly will walk through this life without enormous, heart-breaking, life shattering events occurring to them.  Maybe, but I somehow doubt it.  I have yet to meet a Jesus lover who has not had to overcome tragedy or burden through the power of Christ in them. 

I, for one, am so very grateful for the gift of the Holy Spirit who longs to control my mind and bless me with life and peace.  I am proof that He can fill us with peace when everything on the outside is screaming the opposite.

Life and Peace…through the sacrificial blood of Jesus Christ.  Oh Lord, remind me to surrender control of my mind.  Amen and Amen.