The Bible says we are at peace with God when we accept Jesus’ atoning death on the cross for forgiveness of our sins. We are at peace with God when we accept Him into our hearts. So why do we tend to worry when things spin out of control? Sometimes we get ourselves into a tangled web of worry…
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4: 6-7
Peace that passes all understanding; I’ve experienced it. Have you? The peace of God is so different from the world’s peace. It’s not found in positive thinking… confessing that your glass is half full and not half empty just isn’t going to cut it when things start to careen out of control. We know that God is Sovereign, but sometimes His Sovereignty can be scary. Let’s continue with the above scripture…
“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Philippians 4: 8
You’ve heard it a million times… what you put into your mind determines what comes out in your words and actions (garbage in, garbage out). But are we really listening? Look on Facebook… we can tell what’s truly in a person’s heart just by observing the things they post and things they don’t post. Paul tells us to program our mind with thoughts that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and worthy of praise. Do you have problems with impure thoughts and daydreams? Examine what you’re putting into your mind. What are you watching on TV? Yeah, God is all over the internet – but so is the devil. Books? Conversations? Replace harmful input with wholesome nourishment. Read God’s Word and pray. Ask God to help you focus your mind on the important stuff…
“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” Isaiah 26: 3