November 5, 2026 - Romans 12-13

For a long time now, psychotherapy, therapies of all sorts, and self-help sections in bookstores have been ubiquitously present in Western societies.  “Therapy-speak” has transformed the way we talk about everyday ups and downs and personal challenges of all sorts.  The normal response of sadness to a painful situation is now a matter of mental health.  Weariness of a job now requires one to take a day or two off for one’s mental health.   And so on.  An interesting anecdote:  Johnny Paycheck had a #1 country music hit in 1977, “Take This Job and Shove It.”  Rather than mope around in the mire of self-pity and mental health, he just quit.  The song became a massive blue-collar anthem offering a solution to a bad job situation.  No self-pity.  No days off to restore one’s mental health.  No recourse to claims of personal trauma or depression or mistreatment.  No trips to the therapist’s office or high priced retreat.  He just quit!  Now, of course, we can’t just quit life.  Then, what are we to do?

Paul writes, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.  Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (12:2).  Paul points us in the right direction.  Rather than moping around and considering all sorts of ultimately failing solutions, Paul encourages us to live for God, letting our thinking and affections be transformed as we discern God’s good and perfect will.  Later, Paul writes, “Whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (15:4).  So, how are our minds transformed?  How do we cultivate hope in the midst of a terribly fallen world?  We do so by staying in the Scriptures and letting them direct us to God and to that which is good.  A mind transformed by the Word of God is eminently more valuable and hopeful than all the man-centered therapies and solutions.  Let us enjoy the cheer of God’s majestic presence and peace, today!

Breathe on me, Breath of God,

fill me with life anew,

that I may love the way you love,

and do what you would do.

Breathe on me, Breath of God,

until my heart is pure,

until my will is one with yours,

to do and to endure.

Breathe on me, Breath of God,

so shall I never die,

but live with you the perfect life

for all eternity.   -- Edwin Hatch (1878)