God has already given peace to the world and that includes you. We are the ones who have to accept it and let it in. Unfortunately, letting it in sometimes means breaking down walls, which can be painful. The more walls life has created within you, the harder and longer it will take. But it is worth it in the end.
In these difficult times, we can rest assured that we are being allowed to experience them because we grow from it.
"We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us-they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation. And this expectation will not disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love." -Romans 5 3-5
We may need to remind ourselves of this often. It is so easy to slip into the cycle of self-despair and anger toward our situation. Often when I am going through these times, my husband reminds me of his grandmother. This warrior in Christ had cancer for years and was always in significant pain. However, she would always put showing Christ in her life over showing her pain. Through her experience and the way she chose to react to it, who knows how many people she was able to bring to Christ. This is what I strive to be.
Thankfully for us, the Bible tells us instructions for gaining peace:
"Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again-rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all that you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don't worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Jesus Christ. And now, dear brothers and sisters, let me say one more thing as I close this letter. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4: 4-8
I’ll be the first to admit that these instructions look so easy in writing. I will also be the first to admit that it’s challenging to keep my thoughts in check all the time. However, I do know is that it is much easier keeping them aligned with the instructions above when I’m pursuing healthy habits, my relationship with God, and time in his word. Gaining peace is truly so simple it just feels challenging. You literally just have to set your mind to it as Godly peace may not happen within you without making changes in your life.
Let’s Pray.
Father God, I struggle personally so much with maintaining joyful and peaceful thoughts. In moments like these when I’m crying with joy from so much relief from worldly pressures, I’m reminded that it is available to me at all times. Lord, please help me and those reading this to gain control over their thoughts. Let us “fix our thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. There is so much in this world that is not so and it can be so hard to block it out of our minds. I’m ending this prayer with more armor than when I started and I am ready to follow your word.
In your love I pray,
Amen.
