The 8th chapter of Paul's letter to the church in Rome is divided into three sections: 1.) life through the Spirit; 2.) present suffering and future glory, and 3.) more than conquerors (through Christ, we are). I know I haven't copied the third part yet, and I may not do so, in which case I'll just link you to it here ["http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans%208&version=NIV"] (just scroll down toward the bottom).
Life through the Holy Spirit means crucifying our flesh and putting on Christ. We have things we want in life, and God has things he wants for us. Oftentimes there's a struggle. We might desire a job, or a house, or a car, or a particular member of the opposite sex (for those of us who are are single -- it's Singles Appreciation Week, btw), but it often happens that we either do not have the means to acquire such an object or standing, or the so-called "object" does not desire us back. It sucks when we don't get what we want, especially the more we want it. This type of living causes death because it narrows our focus to the one thing (or person) that we want and we're miserable when we don't get it. Even if we are surrounded by multitudinous other blessings (i.e. family, friends, community, what-have-you), we can't appreciate what we do have. This is what Paul means when he says "Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires," (v. 5) and "The mind governed by the flesh is death" (v. 6).
I've been there. For whatever reason, I've struggled to let go of this intense desire to have someone of the opposite sex, and the real culprits to this struggle (i.e. some other crap that has happened in my life over the years) somehow manage to disappear, making it seem like I only really have this one problem (and that I actually have this problem, in which parts of it I actually don't). Over the last couple years I've had to force myself to really let go of a couple individuals, and it has felt like death.
For the spring "semester" in small groups at my church, every Thursday I participate in a group where a bunch of men get together to do some intensive healing work. The idea is that we lay our souls bare, understand what's really been hurting us, and by the end of the 12-week period make some headway in healing. Because of the confidential nature of the group, I will not share my work (and I certainly cannot share others' work), but I will say that I made the beginnings of a breakthrough last night. The more often, and the more consistently I do this, the real pains will heal, and the imaginary ("fake") pains will be lessened, because they will soon have nowhere to hide.
In conjunction with the quotes three paragraphs ago, Paul also writes that "those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires" (v.5) and "the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace" (v. 6). I recently started reading the Daily Prayer Script from RansomedHeart.com ["http://RansomedHeart.com/"] that a friend of mine shared with me over a year ago. This prayer is very thorough, and very similar to the themes in Romans 8. When I pray it, I get a sense of the beginnings of an actual transformation from trying to live my life the way I want vs. living how God wants. I pray for a complete transformation, a covering of Jesus' blood on me to a.) blot out my sins, b.) accept the full work of Christ's crucifixion to my flesh, c.) accept the full work of his resurrection and triumph over the enemy and all sources of death in my life, d.) accept the authority he has given me, and e.) accept all his works his ascension into heaven.
Paul talks about suffering in the second section. We are still living in enemy-occupied territory. [For any skeptics of this idea, I only need to point out that we still have war, famine, pestilence, things that the devil puts on us; Paul also writes "We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time" (v. 22).] The enemy attacks us and tries to thwart us in our transformation from living in the flesh to living in the Spirit. I know I have been attacked and thwarted many times. But I also know that I can call on God to pull me through, to encourage me to fight for the transformation and resultant peace he so longs me to have. But above all, Paul says that the rewards on the other side of the war are worth it: "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us" (v. 18). Moreover, he says that "we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who ["http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans%208&version=NIV#fen-NIV-28145i"] have been called according to his purpose" (v. 28).
I will share that I am at place where I don't really know where my life is going right now. I've been blessed for the last two years to have felt safe where I didn't have to worry about much (even when I was fighting some spiritual battles). A dear friend is leaving next week -- we're having the send-off party tonight (which reminds me, I need to get over there before it's over!) -- and I'm struggling to connect and belong. I'm still struggling with some pains that have been sitting inside of me, and throw in the work situation, and you could definitely say I've been in a trial of some sort. But, thanks to Paul and to RansomedHeart.com, I know that with God's help and my commitment to his help, I can pull through. I have been told by at least a couple sources that there is hope. I'm going to need all the hope I can get.
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