How do we find peace in a world filled with stress, desperation, depression, and misery? Is it even possible to find peace let alone hold onto it?
Yes, it is, and this is one pathway to peace for those who are in Christ.
Jesus has given us peace and He is the source of our peace. We have to remember to do as He says to find it and remain in it.
This is the process I follow, and it is broad enough to encompass most circumstances in which we might find ourselves.
Is there is a problem?
First, if there is a problem, acknowledge it. Don't stick your head in the sand to try and hide from it; acknowledge it.
If your situation is causing you stress or desperation, if you have done something wrong, or someone else has done something affecting you, if you are being spiritually attacked or whatever your problem might be; acknowledge it.
Whatever it is, acknowledge that there is a problem taking away your peace.
Take action
Second, take action. If you’ve made a mistake, repent and seek forgiveness from the Lord and/or the person you have wronged. If someone has upset you, take action to try to smooth out the situation, and forgive where necessary.
You don't forgive for their sake but for your own. The point of forgiveness is so that YOU don't become bitter.
But if it isn’t possible to speak to the person, or is dangerous to do so, then just pray about it. You shouldn’t go into a dangerous situation.
Pray
We need to pray and put our problems before the Lord.
When we ask, He will restore our peace. If we have done all we can, regardless of the outcomes of our actions, we need to pray about it. Pray before, during, and after. Pray at all times over the matter and bring all of your issues and concerns to the Lord for His help and guidance.
Walk in the Spirit
Walking in the Spirit changes the focus of our minds from whatever is upsetting our peace, to focus instead on the things of the Lord. Consider these scriptures:
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you would. (Galatians chapter 5, verses 16-17)
And;
3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do: sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the just requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God's law, indeed it cannot; 8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. (Romans chapter 8, verses 3-8)
And again;
6 Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians chapter 4, verses 6-8)
These three scriptures, give us a good insight into walking in the Spirit.
Don’t gratify the flesh
Galatians tells us to walk by the Spirit so that we do not gratify the desires of the flesh.
Anytime we are upset, angry, envious, jealous, stressed, fearful, or anything else, we are "in the flesh." We gratify the flesh when we’re focussing on these things. Instead, we are told to "crucify the passions of the flesh."
Crucifying the flesh
But how do we do this? Romans chapter 8 says it’s all about what’s on our minds.
If we think about what is upsetting us, then we are thinking on the flesh. But if we turn away from those thoughts and focus on the things of the Spirit, we can “crucify the flesh.”
Walking in the Spirit is about controlling your thinking.
What to think on
What should we think about?
Philippians chapter 4 says to think about: "...whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise..."
The scripture concludes by saying to "...think about these things."
So, when you are upset, change your thinking to something good. Read your Bible, meditate on a scripture, listen to Christian music, pray, speak in tongues, or just go outside and marvel at God's creation.
Whatever you do, THINK about the good things that Lord has given us and as you do, your peace will be restored.
Since retiring from work, John Lemmon now spends his time teaching, preaching and writing about the word of God, online and offline, answering God's call on him to “Speak to my people.” You can connect with John on Twitter (@JohnBLemmon) or on his website: freegiftfromgod.com/ or listen to his podcast on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/the-free-gift-from-god-podcast/id1440682375