In the last blog, we talked about the Jesus Kind of Peace and how it is different than the world’s kind of peace. We found out that it can put us back together; it is eternal, and it doesn’t depend on our circumstances. You might be thinking, yes, that kind of peace sounds DIVINE, but HOW DO I GET IT?
Good question. There are five things you can do right now that will help you get the Jesus kind of peace. So let’s get started.
Get in God’s Presence
Bad days come and go, but our peace shouldn’t have to. At least not if we spend our day in God’s presence. It is only in God’s presence where we find true peace.
Don’t wait to get with God. See Him first thing in the morning. Some say, “but I am not a morning person.” I hear you, but it doesn’t matter. No excuses on this one. Our day should start with God, honoring Him, thanking Him. After all, He is the reason we wake up every day. He is the reason we breathe.
"In Him, we move, and live have our being." Acts 17:28.
Maybe we don’t have time every morning to get into a full-on prayer session or read half the Bible, but we can start our day worshiping Him, acknowledging Him, can’t we?
Start by telling Him how you feel about Him. Turn on some worship music. Thank Him for all His blessings. Praise Him.
But don’t stop there. Commit to practicing His presence throughout the day. Practicing His presence is beautifully described by Brother Lawrence in his book, The Practice of the Presence of God:
“He does not ask much of us, merely a thought of Him from time to time, a little act of adoration, sometimes to ask for His grace, sometimes to offer Him your sufferings, at other times to thank Him for the graces, past and present, He has bestowed on you, in the midst of your troubles to take solace in Him as often as you can. Lift up your heart to Him during your meals and in company; the least little remembrance will always be the most pleasing to Him. One need not cry out very loudly; He is nearer to us than we think.”
I am convicted, how about you?
Pray Continually
Approach your day with an attitude of prayer. The Apostle Paul advises us to “Pray continually.” 1st Thessalonians 5:17
God doesn’t need big fancy prayers. He only needs our heart. So stop worrying about your words. Just talk to Him. Make Him a part of your everyday life. Ask His opinion on whatever you are doing, no matter how important or unimportant the task.
- God, should I send this email now, or should I wait?
- God, would it be better to purchase this one or that one?
If you get stuck and don’t know what to do or which way to move, talk to God. Say, “God, I don’t know what to do, help me!” Then expect an answer. God promises us that if we lack wisdom, He will give it generously without finding fault – we just have to ask. James 1:5
If stress and worry start creeping into your day or pesky thoughts try to invade your mind and threaten to steal your peace, PRAY.
Paul tells us not to “be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” And then, guess what? The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
Peace comes with prayer.
Give God Control
Don’t let problems get away from you or stress levels hit the red zone before you seek God’s counsel. Keep in mind that seeking His counsel is meaningless if you don’t also give Him control. Yes, I know. Giving God control means we have to submit to Him. It means we have to die to ourselves and our way of doing things. But when we submit to God, we will have peace and things will go well for us.” (Job 22:21 ) True peace comes from knowing God is in control.
So when you are tempted to go ahead of God before He gives you the green light because you are tired of waiting – don’t do it.
Or when you know how you want things to look but don’t think God’s way will get you there – change what you know and what you think by renewing your mind in God’s word (Romans 12:2)
The bottom line is that for true peace in your life, you will have to make a choice: will you surrender to the enemy who comes to steal, kill or destroy or will you surrender to Jesus who comes to give you life and life more abundantly? Your call.
Focus on God’s Promises
You can find true peace in God’s promises. God is not a man that He should lie (Numbers 23:19). His word never returns without accomplishing the purpose for which it is sent (Isaiah 55:11). If God says it, it will be done.
A few promises you can focus on to find true peace are:
- God is always with you. Isaiah 41:10
- God is always in control. Isaiah 35:4
- God is always good. Psalm 100:5
- God is always victorious. Deuteronomy 20:4
Look these verses up. Memorize them. When you feel your peace slowly slipping away begin to speak these truths over your situation. The more you speak them, the more peace you will find.
Seek & Pursue Peace
If we look for trouble, we will find it. That is a given. The same can be said of peace. Jesus, on the cross, made it possible for us to have peace with God. Someday we will live at complete peace with all men too. In the meantime, the Word tells us to “if possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.” Romans 12:18
Peace with others doesn’t always depend on us, and we won’t be able to live in peace with everyone – but lack of peace should never be because of our lack of trying.
So, brothers and sisters if you can make peace with that neighbor. Do it.
If you can make peace with that disgruntled relative. Do it.
If you can make peace with your spouse. Do it.
Seek & pursue peace.
Peace can be gotten by ALL OF us by getting in God’s presence, praying continually, giving God control, focusing on God’s promises, and seeking and pursuing peace. These are 5 things that we can ALL do. So what are you waiting for? Peace Be Gotten!
