Healing the unclean spirit

Mark 1:21-28

When the sabbath came, Jesus entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God." But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!" And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, "What is this? A new teaching--with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him." At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.

Will it ever end? Will our struggle with "unclean spirits" that rally to challenge the authoritative counsel of Christ ever cease?

Sometimes I notice an internal wrestling match --

I hear Jesus say: Be still... and something inside me says "You can't be still...you need to do this (or that)"

I hear Jesus say: Don't be afraid... and something inside me says "You aren't getting the full picture..."

I hear Jesus say: I'm with you until the end of the ages.... and something inside me says "Who do you think you are? What makes you think you can do that?

If my eyes are diverted from Jesus, those thoughts (like unclean spirits) gain energy...and I exert my own effort and will in an effort to resist them or rationalize them away. If an artist captured the image of what is going on inside it wouldn't be a pretty sight:



Every moment that I am confronted by doubt, or fear, or insecurity about what is possible when I step towards Jesus' words of instruction and assurance, I know that He will cast out all that would impede my progress.

Every moment.

And when I seek the healing needed for each moment, I know that every hour, day, week, month and year I will be whole.