“The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.”
Romans 8:6
Did you know that cancer patients who claim a belief in God have higher survival statistics? There is a documented positive correlation between a positive attitude and longevity and also the ability to offer forgiveness with living longer. When that research was first presented at medical conferences, many professionals were astonished.
Yet, should we be?
Romans 8:6 tells us, “But the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.”
The phrase, “The Spirit” refers to the Holy Spirit. If you haven’t been raised in the church or if the idea of asking the Holy Spirit for help is foreign to you, let’s look at Galatians 5:22. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control.”
If the concept of religion has always been a road to morality for you, this post might be confusing. God doesn’t just give us a list of do’s and don’ts; He offers us a relationship with Him. Jesus, God’s son, offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice so we could come directly to God, even though we sin. God also gave us the Holy Spirit, the third party in the Trinity, to help us in that relationship. John 14: 16-17, reads, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.“
Once we accept Christ’s sacrifice, the Holy Spirit resides in our hearts, helping us to act godly throughout our time on earth. (Never perfect, because we still must choose, but He offers influence.)
When we read the God’s promises, is it any wonder that science has found we are healthier people when we put Scripture into practice? Not that any of those things are easy all the time, but when we accept God’s proffered help, we are indeed healthier, physically and spiritually.
Reflections:
Monday: Do I have a faith in God? Am I searching for a relationship with Him?
Tuesday: When and where do I feel peaceful? What are common threads in my places of peace? (ie- in nature, away from technology, etc.)
Wednesday: How do I define the Holy Spirit? What does the Bible indicate about the Holy Spirit? Read Acts 2.
Thursday: You have a conscience. Have you ever identified God using your conscience to speak to you? What happened? How did you respond?
Friday: Prayer: Dear Father, You want me to call You Father, to search You out. Help me to open my heart to Your prodding. Help me to hear Your voice, be sensitive to the gentle whisper of the Holy Spirit, helping me throughout my time here on earth. Amen.
Resources:
www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200007/forgive-live ; www.cancer.org/treatment/treatmentsandsideeffects/complementaryandalternativemedicine/mindbodyandspirit/spirituality-and-prayer ;
www.//psycnet.apa.org/journals/psp/80/5/804/
Thanks for reading! Please return by Monday, July 7, for the next post.
I just love how the Holy Spirit syncs up lessons. We just studied with the 5-6th grade kids on the Holy Spirit last week and this week was on Faith. Sure enough, our lesson today is on the Holy Spirit and yesterday at Church was Faith. Reassuring to know He works in both big and small ways too. Especially if we ever doubt due to the cares of this world………………and of course Jennifer Rothchild’s lesson last week was on doubt. :o)
He never ceases to amaze me either! Thank you for your constant reminders and encouragement!
Stefanie