I decided to go to God’s Word and see what it had to say about PEACE. I found several places where Joy was linked with PEACE. What comes first PEACE or Joy? Most of us would assume that we would have to experience PEACE in order to experience Joy. I came across the following passage that spoke to me in a whole new way.
PHILIPPIANS 4:4-94 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again-rejoice! 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.6 Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 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 Christ Jesus.8 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. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned from me and heard from me and saw me doing, and the God of PEACE will be with you.
Imagine that!! We are to always be full of Joy in the Lord!! We are not to worry about anything. How many times have I laid awake at night worrying about life? How many hours have I wasted trying to figure things out instead of taking it immediately to God? I know at times that I have taken things to God, but then when done, take those things back upon myself.
Notice, verse 6 says “Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” Tell him what you “need”, not want! Then we are to thank him for all he has done. We are promised if we do this we will experience God’s PEACE!! A PEACE that is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand!! What kind of PEACE can you imagine for yourself? God’s PEACE surpasses that. Through THANKSGIVING, his PEACE will guard your hearts and minds. It will keep you from “stinkin’ thinkin’”. I can think of numerous times that my life was in turmoil … PEACE was no where to be found … I humbled myself by letting go of my “right” to be in a low place and began to worship God with praise and thanksgiving. It wasn’t long and the heaviness began to lift. I began to feel joy and peace in my spirit. If this is God’s “formula” why do we find it so difficult to do?
Then the writer closes out by imploring us to think on things that are honorable, true, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praise worthy. Keeping our minds on these things will allow the God of PEACE to be with us. Wow … how often have I over analyzed things! How often do my thoughts stray away from the mind of Christ on those issues that steal my PEACE?
If you are in need of PEACE in your journey ... Let him fill you with his Joy … Cast your cares upon him … Shower him with thanksgiving … RECEIVE THE PEACE THAT ONLY HE CAN SUPPLY!!!
Today ... on this journey ... I embrace PEACE!!
