Anxiety is the new norm for many. The cost of things, the future, our health and our relationships can all give us anxiety. Many things seem to be more difficult to accomplish and I find myself saying, “Why does everything have to be such a hassle?” There goes my peace!
What do some people say about peace?
“It isn’t enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isn’t enough to believe in it. One must work at it.” Eleanor Roosevelt
“A quiet mind cureth all.” Robert Burton
As in the quote above, a quiet mind cureth all, we constantly must take control of our mind and emotions to quiet ourselves and listen to the word and the voice of God. Peace only comes from God.
2 Thessalonians 3:16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.
Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in you.
Steadfast means immovable, fixed, unwavering. This sounds great, but I’m here to tell you from a lot of experience that it requires effort. Like Eleanor Roosevelt said, you must believe in it and work at it. Now she may have been talking about peace in a nation, but war is not just within nations, we are in a daily battle within ourselves because there is always a spiritual war going on.
As humans we face conflict and difficult circumstances often. Our first initial gut feeling is that it is only a human problem. The truth is that there is a force behind humans we cannot see. We know there is evil in many forms on the earth that we will have to deal with, but we must never forget to combat things in the spiritual realm with prayer. Because of this, so many things in our lives and in our country have slipped into a seemingly dire situation. I believe this is because we have stepped away from our trust in God. We have removed prayer and the Bible from not just our public places, but from so many aspects of our lives. In today’s society, many have neglected teaching their own children and grandchildren how to pray. Many have neglected talking to them about the Lord, and teaching them a way to find peace and help in time of need. The evidence is all around us, we cannot deny the reality, but we can start today. We are never without hope as Satan would have us believe.
Another aspect of personal peace that makes a huge difference, is our conscience. 1 Timothy 1:19 Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked.
I don’t know about you, but when I have hurt someone with my careless words etc. my conscience (the Holy Spirit) will not let me have peace until I repent, to the person and to the Lord. I feel better after repenting, but the sting of my sin last for a while. It’s so uncomfortable that I try to never repeat it, but I am human and far from perfect. So, I will do my best, that’s all any of us can do here on earth. Jesus was the only perfect person. You know what, I actually like my conscience governed by the Holy Spirit; it keeps me from being the kind of person I don’t want to be.
In I Timothy 1:19 it says some have deliberately violated their consciences and as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked. The reality is that dark side of spiritual war does win sometimes. I think it is because we tend to fixate on an something or an offence (although some are only alleged offences not real). The more we fixate on these things, the more power we give Satan. Then what seems to happen is we find ourselves powerless. We are too weak to combat the urge to stop ourselves from sinning and violating our conscience. If we do not repent, our faith can be shipwrecked for a time or for some sadly forever. How many people quit going to church, quit praying etc. I would call that a shipwreck! This is not something I ever want to happen to me. Talk about living with no peace! Wow.
Proverbs 4:26 Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.
We must be steadfast and immovable about our priority and prayer to find peace. It’s a choice like all other.
I have this bag I use to carry things to meetings, and on the front is written: This girl knows God is in control! I have it hanging where I can see it often as a reminder. For me to know and believe God has everything in control brings me great peace. It is also a reminder to keep the Lord my priority and call on Him when I am weak. Spiritual warfare is real, we must take a side and fight in order to have peace.
Joshua 24:15a But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.
Prayer
Lord, thank you for being in control. As we come to you in prayer, give us a steadfast spirit and create in us a pure heart. A heart that loves you more than our lives. A heart that longs to see others have peace and see peace in our world. Put in us a deep desire to study your word, join with others in corporate prayer, and enjoy time alone with you every day. Lord you are the breath of fresh air we need. You are the wind in our sails. You are the answer to all the troubles of this world. May we not just live a life, but live it abundantly in peace, as we ask you to walk by our side. Keep us in perfect peace, Lord, as we put our trust in you. In Jesus’ name, amen.
God bless,
Sally
