Is there anyone who doesn't long for peace and serenity? We may feel these things when all seems to be going well for us. We may feel it when we sit on a quiet, secluded beach, with the warm glow of the setting sun all around us and the tide slowly moving in and out. We may think peace is found in trickling fountains and fields of flowers swaying in the breeze...Oh, but what about those thoughts that threaten to undo us? What about those difficult circumstances that we see no way out of? You may be able to experience all of the external delights that I mentioned above, perhaps more than one at a time. You may feel a sense of calm in the moment. But what happens when those things are not there? Do you still have peace? Can you?
Jesus said..."Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." John 14:27
When our hearts are troubled and afraid it is because we lack confidence in God's ability and even his desire to work in our lives. We begin to fear that he is overlooking things. We think that it is too hard for him to help us overcome the difficult situations that we are facing. His Word reminds us that we are wrong when we think this way. In fact, God even tells us how we should think instead.
"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD God is an everlasting rock." Isaiah 26:3
When we let our mind wander down the path of fear, despair and worry, we are not trusting in God. Notice he says "perfect peace". If our mind is fixed on God (who he is, his character, his power, his love, his sovereignty etc.) and we trust in HIM, the "everlasting rock", we can have perfect peace in the most difficult of circumstances.
In an online article by Susan Jeffers, Ph.D entitled "Nine ways to find peace of mind" (beliefnet.com) she attempts to offer us some help in finding the peace we so greatly desire. For example, her fourth step on the pathway to peace is to "Increase your inner sense of power". She says, "One way to help you develop trust in yourself is to cut off negativity in the mind by saying to yourself over and over again, 'Whatever happens in my life, I'll handle it!'"
You may convince yourself that you'll "handle it" but that does not mean you will have peace. In the article, she writes of trusting not only in yourself, but also in the "Grand Design." She encourages us to "focus on the blessings", the good things that happen in your life. That this will "diffuse our fears about the future". She makes no mention of the God who is The Grand Designer nor of the God from whom the blessings come from. How can we ever expect to have true peace apart from him? This is the kind of peace that the world gives. It is based on the lie that "Peace comes from within, do not seek it without" (Buddha). You can wrap it up in any package you like, it's still the same lie. The lie that we can somehow generate peace within our souls apart from the LORD. You may get a counterfeit peace but it will not be true and lasting peace that no one and nothing can ever take away from you.
You know, as Christians we may choose not to listen the messages we get from the so-called experts like Susan Jeffers or even Buddha. We may say that we stand on the Bible alone as our authority for living. But is it possible that we have gotten some things wrong? Could it be that we, too, have thought that peace is something that we can have apart from God? Could it be that we have overlooked that we often choose worry over trust? And that we often do not see God for who he really is, especially in the really dark moments? We forget that he is holy, sovereign and unchanging. We lose sight of his awesome power, his pure love and his perfect plan.
You see, Dr. Jeffers got at least one thing right in her article. We have little control over what is happening. But here is what she fails to mention...God is in control. Is there any part of you that doesn't believe that? It's true, our sin and the sins of others really seem to complicate matters and sometimes life just gets messy. We begin to wonder how we will ever clean things up and experience the peace of God.
Are you looking to God or are you looking within yourself?
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
...And what will be the result if we obey God in this way?...
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7
Please do not think that peace is something automatic just because you have placed your faith in Christ. That is the first step and it is through our faith in Jesus that we have peace with God. In other words we are no longer enemies and we have been reconciled to God through Christ's death on the cross.
But the peace I am referring to now is the daily disposition of trust in God. It is the absence of fear, worry and inner turmoil. This peace is not going to come raining down on you from the sky. Everyday we make the choice whether or not to trust God with what we are facing. It is not a one time decision. You may recall how two years ago you really trusted God with a particular matter and now you stand on the other side of that decision with a glad heart because you trusted him. But what about today's matters? Are you making the choice to trust him now? When your ship crashes on the rocks and winds blow fierce, what have you to cling to but the everlasting rock? What is your cause for rejoicing but that God is the almighty, eternal One and the Savior of your soul?
Pick up a hymnal or songbook and sing praises to the One who reigns above and accomplishes his will upon this earth. Read his Word (perhaps the Psalms?) and revel in his majesty. Turn your heart and your thoughts to view the greatness of our God and notice how problems that overwhelmed you begin to diminish because you recognize that they are all in his capable hands. Choose not to be anxious but to pray instead. Pray about everything, nothing is too small that he doesn't care and nothing is too big that he cannot handle. Remember that he is the One who made you...every fiber of your being...he understands every intricate detail of your mind, body and soul. How can you think for a moment that he cannot help you with what you are facing?
Someone wise has said,
"In relation to Philippians 4:6 this means that what we have
here is not just a simple formula, 'If you’re anxious, try prayer; it
works.' Rather, it means, 'If you’re anxious, examine either your
lack of faith in the living God, who has promised to supply the basic
needs of His children.' Or, 'Examine your focus, whether you’re
living for Christ and His kingdom or for yourself.' Whatever the
root cause, anxiety is sin that must be confessed to God and put
off."
When you pray, choose to express thanksgiving to God. When our problems overwhelm us, we get angry, grumpy, tired, and depressed. Stop the downward spiral by looking up to God in trust and with words of thanksgiving, you will find that you are taking steps out of a dark and muddy pit. Be refreshed in all that you have to thank God for. I'm not just referring to material things but how much more so the spiritual blessings that we have been given. Start with the fact that Christ died for your sin. How amazing is that?
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7
In my worst of days, He still reigns.
ReplyDeleteI am so grateful for His faithfulness in my life. He is so trustworthy!