Lesson 235
God in His mercy wills that I be saved.
Practice Instructions
See complete instructions in a separate document. A short summary:
- Read the commentary paragraph slowly and personally.
- Pray the prayer, perhaps several times.
- Morning and evening: Repeat the idea and then spend time in Open Mind Meditation.
- Hourly remembrance: Repeat the idea and then spend time in Open Mind Meditation.
- Frequent reminders: Repeat the idea and then spend a quiet moment in meditation.
- Response to temptation: Repeat the idea whenever upset, to restore peace.
- Read the “What Is” section slowly and thoughtfully once during the day.
Practice comments: Notice the response to temptation instructions. Whenever something seems to hurt you, assure yourself with certainty, “God wills that I be saved from this,” and you can watch it disappear. Of course, the physical situation itself may not change, but what will disappear is the power it has over your emotions.
Commentary
If we look at our own thoughts honestly we will be able to see many ways in which we believe the direct opposite of today’s lesson. We think, “God in His anger wills that I be punished.” Somewhere in each of us is a pathetic voice telling us that we must deserve whatever we get in the way of pain, or that what joy we have may be taken from us because we are undeserving of it.
To those who begin to list their complaints about the world and how it mistreats them, the Course has very abrupt advice: “Give up these foolish thoughts” (M-15.3:1)! It is in my power to reverse these things. All I need to do is to assure myself, “God wills that I be saved from this” (1:1). God does not will my pain, my sadness, or my loneliness. By changing the way I think of all this, I can change the world.
We think our hurt and sadness is caused by the events of the world; the Course is teaching us that it is the other way around. Our belief in God’s anger is what brings us suffering; our belief in His mercy and Love can transform our lives. What needs changing is not out there in the world, but here, in my own mind. Let me today remember, Father, that I am “safe forever in [Your] arms” (1:3). Let the thought that You will my happiness fill my mind today. If You are Love, if You love me, what else could You want for me?