What would it take for you to be at peace right now?
“I would be at peace if I didn’t have this physical pain or health issue I’m dealing with.”
Ya, but how long before the next one?
“I would be at peace if my family would all just get along.”
Ah, you’ve got teenagers, huh? Good luck with that one.
“I would be at peace if our country and our world would just get along.”
Now you’re really shooting for the stars.
“Okay, I’ll settle for live sports on T.V.!”
That should happen, but what if the Bucs don’t win the Super Bowl?
Okay, you get the point…
“I would be at peace if… (fill in the blank)”
Of course, we all want those things (well, maybe not a Bucs Championship), and there’s nothing wrong with wanting them (especially a Bucs Championship) :-).
But if we’re not at peace until we have them, we’ll be waiting a very long time.
Here’s the problem with all those things… they’re all circumstantial and out of our direct control.
What is not circumstantial and is in our control is to seek and receive the peace that only comes from Jesus.
And how do we do that?
Philippians 4:4-7 walks us through it, step by step:
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:4-7)
1) “Rejoice in the Lord always” (vs. 1a)
Regardless of your circumstances.
2) How is that possible?
Remember: “The Lord is near”. (vs. 5b)
3) “Do not be anxious about anything…” (vs. 6a)
4) How do we do that?
“…by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God…” (vs. 6b)
5) And then?
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (vs. 7)
Notice the word, “will” above. That’s a promise from God to you.
And you can take that to the bank.
And while you’re there, cash this one too:
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)
If we hope in circumstantial things that are out of our control, we will never be at peace.
But if we trust in God, we will be filled and overflowing with hope, joy, and peace by the power of the Holy Spirit.
You can have peace right now - by following the simple steps outlined in Philippians 4 above. Go ahead, give it a try.
He wants to bless you.
I close with a blessing on you today:
“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.” (2 Thessalonians 3:16)