Peace, peace, but there is no peace!

Has anyone else noticed how bad things are getting in the world, or is it just me?  If all you watch is lamestream media, all you'll hear about is the upcoming election. Yet there is so much more going on in the world. Russian, Iran, and China are flexing their military muscles, an asteroid came really close to the earth, plans are being made to split Jerusalem, a huge occult gathering is being celebrated now in Nevada called the Burning Man, Christianity is on the decline in America, experts are predicting a economic crash, job growth is at its lowest in a decade, our streets are filled with riots and violence, earthquakes everywhere... okay, I'll stop.  This post is about peace, after all.

Amid all the chaos and uncertainty around us, we who follow Jesus are supposed to be at peace at ALL times. For normally anxious people like myself, that can often be a hard thing to do.  Yet, I believe the Lord showed me how to find peace in a very well known Scripture to most of us.

Whenever I see a Scripture that speaks to me, I always look at the Scriptures that come before and after it, so I can put it into context of what the Lord is saying through the writer.

The passage I'm talking about is Philipians 4:6-7
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.

We've all read this a thousand times, right? But does it always work for you? It doesn't for me. Sometimes I pray and give the Lord all my concerns and requests, and I may feel better for awhile, but not more than an hour goes by and I'm not at peace any more. 

Here are the verses that precede the above passage.  

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.

And here are the verses that follow it

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

So how do you achieve peace of mind and spirit and keep it?

• Rejoice in the Lord Always! That means always thanking Him for everything and praising His name. I'm talking all day long!
• Be kind to everyone you encounter, be loving, encouraging and supportive
• Keep your mind on things that are pure. Don't just keep your mind on them, but meditate on them! That means stay away from depressing, violent, sexually explicit entertainment in all of its forms and instead focus on God, heaven, the truth, love, etc.  Does that mean we shouldn't even watch the news? No, I don't think so. Keep informed but there's no need to watch it all day. If you do, you'll probably end up depressed and anxious. 
• And of course, pray without ceasing. Talk to God all day long. 

Easy to say, hard to do but I believe this is how you keep walking in Peace. You must focus all your thoughts on the Lord constantly, on His Word, on His Love. Always be thankful, and always be in prayer.

May it be said of all of us in heaven

They have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. Psalm 112:7

May you find the peace of God today!


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