Choose Life!

I recall an early morning sometime in the last century. (Wow, I must be ancient!) I was scheduled to speak that morning on prayer to Judy Sutch's women's group at Way of the Cross Church.

I awoke in a panic. How could I teach on prayer? My own prayer life seemed weak. I couldn't remember anything I knew about prayer.

My mind scratched for a way to stay home.

Maybe I'd call in sick....but I and all of us believed in divine healing. That seemed too embarrassing to admit, especially since it was a lie, unless I told Judy I was emotionally or mentally sick, which seemed like the truth at the time... "Judy, I can't come. I've had an emotional breakdown."

I couldn't see myself saying that to her, especially since she would probably start driving the devil out of my head over the phone. It's good to have a friend who can do that.

It didn't help that I was known as a prayer leader in the city.

In desperation, I opened my Bible. It fell open to Romans 8, and verse 6 captured my eyes.
"For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace."

It was immediately obvious where my mind was set by how I felt. I felt like I was going to die in front of Judy Sutch and all her ladies.

It seemed reasonable to feel that way. I was totally inadequate and weak in prayer and I didn't really know how to pray like I should. How could I teach in that condition?

...but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace.

I had no choice but to set my mind on the Holy Spirit. I chose life and peace. I chose God. I chose the truth that I was saved and that I was His son.

I put one foot in front of the other and showed up at the ladies' meeting. I knew many of the ladies, and knew they were women of prayer.

I didn't know what to do until I stood in front of them, but I had chosen to set my mind on His Spirit where there is life and peace.

I heard myself say, "Turn to Romans 8:26."

I read it: "In the same way the Spirit helps our weakness, for we don't know how to pray as we should..."

I heard myself say, "The doorway to prayer by the power of the Holy Spirit is in your weakness and in NOT knowing how to pray. If you feel strong and think you know how to pray, the Spirit will let you do it yourself without His help. If you want His help, you must be weak in yourself and totally dependent on Him to know how to pray..."

We had a great time. I chose life and peace.

You can too. At any time.

The enemy of your soul will put you down in fear and condemnation as long as you let him do so, and as long as you keep your attention on yourself. Set your mind off from yourself and on the Lord. Life and peace will invade your mind and your emotions, and the feelings of death and depression coming from fear and shame will fade away.