"The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace." Romans 8:6 NIV
On a recent Saturday at L Street Mission, we had a young woman who was being quite disruptive. We arrived to find her shooting up on the church steps, and the day spiraled down from there. In one of her more lucid moments, she told me of her losses, struggles, and pain. She further shared that although she did not believe in God, but believed in a higher power also that the people she had lost were watching over her. As we were talking, you could see the struggle within her. Inside was this person who desperately wanted to be her better self, but Satan had a stronghold. While she did not accept Christ that day, we continue to hold her in prayer and witness at every opportunity.
Her story is not unique. While we may not struggle with addiction, we all struggle with temptation. The darkness constantly struggles to extinguish the light of Christ. Our flesh, our carnal natures, seeks for those things counter to the Spirit. In some cases, it leads to physical death, but always to a slow eating away of our souls. The only cure for our sinful addictions, whatever they may be, is through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It doesn't matter how bogged down in sin we are; his healing power will restore us to life and peace. Jesus is our recovery.
Gracious and Almighty God, we thank you for your healing Spirit. We confess we are all sinners in recovery, and we ask your forgiveness for all our sins. Please help us in our struggle against darkness and restore us once more. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Blessings,
Pastor Tim
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