Do you ever long for peace? I will preface this post with, some people do have a chemical imbalance in their brain or a chronic mental illness that cause abnormalities manifested in ongoing emotional and psychological symptoms that impact their everyday life and can require medication. But, for those who experience SITUATIONAL fear, worry, anxiety, depression, bitterness, anger, denial, confusion, guilt, shame, numbness, envy, etc…and may subsequently manifest in physical symptoms like, insomnia or nightmares, fatigue, difficulty focusing, racing heart beat, edginess or agitation, muscle tension, and maybe even occasional impulsive behavior, if you struggle with any of this, do you long for peace? Maybe the Bible has the answer for you.
Jesus said the peace He gives is a gift the world cannot give.
““I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”
John 14:27 NLT
God is the God of Peace!
“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all.”
2 Thessalonians 3:16 NLT
If we try to find peace in who we are or in the world, or think we can try hard enough in thought or behavior to give us peace, we will not find it. If we let God transform us into the person He’s created us to be, we will gain clarity to know what to do and how to find what we need.
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
Romans 12:2 NLT
We don’t have to understand God’s peace to recieve it. Thanksgiving to God in prayer is linked to God’s peace.
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7 NLT
If we practice what we are taught by God, we can have peace with us always.
“Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.”
Philippians 4:9 NLT
Do what you can to live at peace with people.
“Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.”
Romans 12:18 NLT
Don’t focus on the past.
“No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,”
Philippians 3:13 NLT
Pray this for everyone:
“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 15:13 NLT
LMM
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash
Scott Maxon 