Part 1 Undoing the Way We See Things Now
Lesson 80 Let Me Recognize My Problems Have Been Solved.
- If you are willing to recognize your problems, you will recognize that you have no problems. You’re one central problem has been answered, and you have no other. Therefore, you must be at peace. Salvation thus depends on recognizing this one problem and understanding that it has been solved. One problem, one solution. Salvation is accomplished. Freedom from conflict has been given you. Accept that fact, and you are ready to take your rightful place in God’s plan for Salvation.
- Your only problem has been solved! Repeat this over and over to yourself today, with gratitude and conviction. You have recognized your only problem, opening the way for the Holy Spirit to give you God’s answer. You have laid deception aside and seen the light of truth. You have accepted Salvation for yourself by bringing the problem to the answer. And you can recognize the answer, because the problem has been identified.
- You are entitled to peace today. A problem that has been resolved cannot trouble you. Only be certain you do not forget that all problems are the same. Their many forms will not deceive you while you remember this. One problem, one solution. Accept the peace this simple statement brings.
- In our longer practice sessions today, we will claim the peace that must be ours when the problem and the answer have been brought together. The problem must be gone, because God’s answer cannot fail. Having recognized one, you have recognized the other. The solution is inherent in the problem. You are answered and have accepted the answer. You are saved.
- Now let the peace that your acceptance brings be given you. Close your eyes and receive your reward. Recognize that your problems have been solved. Recognize that you are out of conflict, free and at peace. Above all, remember that you have one problem, and that the problem has one solution. It is in this that the simplicity of Salvation lies. It is because of this that it is guaranteed to work.
- Assure yourself often today that your problems have been solved. Repeat the idea with deep conviction, as frequently as possible. And be particularly sure to apply the idea for today to any specific problems that may arise. Say quickly: “Let me recognize this problem has been solved.”
- Let us be determined not to collect grievances today. Let us be determined to be free of problems that do not exist. The means is simple honesty. Do not deceive yourself about what the problem is, and you must recognize it has been solved. [1]
Notes and Personal Application: In my journal writing, just a bit earlier, I had determined that the problem with abuse, neglect, and lack of empathy or concern for another’s well-being, is the result of being separated from God. When we think we are separated God, we try to find our solace here and no matter what we do, it all turns to disappointment and despair. I think of my parents who were so happily married to one another – I rarely heard them speak a cross word to one another. They laughed, they teased each other, they flirted with each other! It was evident to anybody who knew them that there was love and devotion between the two of them. But they still had problems. No matter how much my mother read her Bible, quoted it at us, gathered us together for daily devotions, sang gospel songs, spoke in tongues, gave to the poor, and commanded the devil to get out of our lives, it only seemed to distress and add to her, and therefore our, despair.
Jesus tells us in our lesson today that there is only one problem – we believe we are bodies instead of spirits. Once we recognize what our problems are, we will realize that we don’t have any. Our salvation depends on recognizing that it is simply the belief that we are bodies and separated from God that is the root of all our seemingly endless problems. Realizing this, all conflict dissolves and we are ready to take our rightful place in God’s plan for salvation!
When we remember that we are not bodies, this realm is no longer our reality; we are freed from it. Our minds are at peace. Viruses, pestilence, grudges, resentments, taxes, disease, death, clubbiness, chubbiness, and cliques will no longer offend us – the problem has been resolved – they are all the same. They arise to torment and keep the body in bondage, and we are not bodies.
Realizing one’s salvation as simply accepting our rightful place in the Sonship of God fills us with peace. This is the simplicity of salvation. All manner of things may come up in your life today to remind you that you are a body and that you have problems. Jesus tells us to quickly repeat today’s idea in response to such temptations: “Let me recognize this problem has been solved.”
Collecting grievances often seems justified. Our own body and the bodies of others make too many demands, don’t play fair, prey upon one another in order to establish power and control, the substitutes for love and belonging that is of God. In the body we all long to feel special, to stand out, to distinguish ourselves from the masses. Others take more than they give; they rub us the wrong way; they bloat and gloat and float their boats in the wrong direction. In the spirit, we are one in love and unity and purpose. Each of us have an equally important role to play not only in God’s plan of salvation, but in God’s Kingdom forever. Let us not forget, let us look at the problem with simple honesty – every problem comes from identifying with our body; in the spirit all is eternally well.
[1] A Course in Miracles. Workbook for Students. Lesson 80 Let me recognize…Foundation for Inner Peace, Second Edition, (1992). pp. 143-144.
the friar patch 