Pursuing Peace

    Peace, perfect peace.

    It is more than just a quiet moment after a chaotic day. It is a quiet mind and a calm heart even amidst the chaos.

    Is it attainable? YES!

    If the Lord wills, over the next few weeks we will look to gain a better understanding of peace so that we can truly “seek peace and pursue it” (Psalm 34:14) as God commands. We will look at all things that pertain to it: how to attain it, how to maintain it, and how to be at peace with God, your brethren, and mankind.

    Are you ready to pursue peace? Me too!!

    When we are commanded to pursue peace in both 2 Timothy 2:22 and 1 Peter 3:11, we are being told to pursue 'being at one again.'

    Consider for a moment James 1:5-8. James warns against being double-minded (vv.6-8). The term 'double-minded' holds the idea of being anxious, that stress-inducing battle between rational and irrational thought. It is a mind that is not at peace.

    God wants us to have peace. He instructs us to "be anxious for nothing" in Philippians 4:6, and He does not leave it at that, He tells us exactly what needs to be done to overcome anxiety and "be at one again" in our mind and heart - "in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7) 

    We go through many struggles and hardships in our lives, but through it all God is more than willing to supply His abundant peace, all He is asks of us is to give over our worries and anxieties, lay them down at His throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16) and ask Him for His help. 

Side note: God loves us SO much that He also provides us with a 'maintenance plan' - a help to abide in peace - He provides us with a list - a whole list - of good and proper things to think on (see Philippians 4:8), so that we can train our minds to stop dwelling on frets and worries by replacing our negative thoughts with a positive one from the list. When we purpose to focus on what God has told us to focus on it changes our perspective and heals our minds. It takes time. I've been there, I've done it - it's difficult at times, but it works!!  God's way IS ALWAYS the BEST WAY!! It is worth every effort to try!! 

Are you ready to pursue peace? Are you willing to give your worries to God in exchange for His perfect peace? God is ready, willing, and able to provide!

You can do it! So can I!!