We live in a sin-sick world with turmoil and uncertainty on every hand and if this is not enough we as the children of God are in a constant battle with the enemy. How then can we live in peace with so much to contend with daily?
We know by the words of Jesus; He gave us His peace not the peace the world gives (John 14:27) and it is a fruit (Gal. 5:22-23) of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, yet we struggle to walk with peace.
Philippians 4:4-7 gives us an outline of how we can choose to live and walk in the preface we have been given by Christ Jesus.
“Rejoice in the Lord always,” we must keep our focus on the Lord not the situation. We see in verses 8 and 9 reads, to think on the true, honest, just, pure, lovely, good report, any virtue and any praise, think on these things. When we get our minds focused on these things, rejoicing (feeling and showing joy & delight) comes almost naturally.
“Show our moderation (gentle spirit) be known to all people,” we must actively choose to be humble, meek, gentle despite our circumstance.
“The Lord is at hand,” we should be comforted to know He will not forsake us nor will He leave us (Deut. 31:6). This is a promise we can believe, we are never alone.
“Do not be anxious about anything,” we should take (and leave) our cares and what makes us anxious to God as Jesus as instructed in Matt. 11:28 so we may obtain rest. According to 1 Peter 5:7 we are instructed to give all our worries and cares to God, confidently knowing he cares for us and will work all things our for our good (Romans 8:28).
” But in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God,” we are to spend time communing with God, by speaking but also listening. Coming to him with a humble heart (supplication) and with thanksgiving for who He is and how He is a keeper of His promises to “keep in perfect peace those whose minds are stayed on Him, because he trusts Him (Isaiah 26:3).
“And the please of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
I encourage you today to Rejoice, be gentle in spirit, know He is always with you, be not anxious, commune with God humbly and with thanksgiving even in the darkest times of you life for this is how we walk in His peace.
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