Stop stressing. Quit worrying.
Of course, that’s easier said than done.
If you are freaking out because of the pace of your life, circumstances, or your own choices…there is good news. You CAN experience God’s peace. There is a chapter in the Bible called ‘The Peace Chapter’. It’s found in Philippians 4.
We ask ourselves. . . in this crazy life. . . marriage, finances, and parenting…when I can’t find peace, what do I do? Here are 5 ways to experience His peace:
CHOOSE JOY (v. 4)
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
You have to take ownership of the way you feel and respond to things. You don’t live your life dictated by your circumstances and feelings. You get to choose your attitude. You may not get to choose what happens around you, but you do get to choose your attitude in the middle of it. As a follower of Jesus, you are forgiven. His child. Not alone. Rejoice!
REJECT DRAMA
Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Philippians 4:5
Nothing can kill the peace in our lives like relationship drama, right? We get mad, stressed, hold onto bitterness and anger and it just poisons everything and steals our joy. Let it go. You’ll never have lasting peace as long as you let drama fill your life. If you are demanding or overbearing or you like to fight or you just can’t let things go. . .you’re never going to experience lasting peace. Be gracious and kind: reject drama.
PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
So, stop worrying, that’s sin. And pray about everything. When we are stressed, we call on everyone we can think of: doctor, counselor, lawyer, friends. Only after we’ve exhausted all those resources, we say “All right, God, looks like you’ve got to bail me out.” He needs to be our first call! “Cast your cares on Him, He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)
Something amazing happens when you begin to pray: the peace of God starts to guard your heart and mind.
THINK ABOUT THE RIGHT THINGS
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. Philippians 4:8
What you think about matters when it comes to having peace in your mind and heart. What are you dwelling on? Is it honorable? respectable? Is what you are thinking about right and pure? Are these thoughts going to build you up or tear you down? Maybe it’s time to get rid of some thoughts.
Change the channel of your mind. Instead, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” (Col 3:16) God’s word will change the way you see the world, relationships, and on and on. You can guard your mind, command it to dwell on other things and bring peace to your heart.
DO THE RIGHT THING
The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:9
The extent to which you choose to obey God day in and day out determines your level of stress or peace. “And the work of righteousness will be peace, And the service of righteousness, quietness and confidence forever.” Isaiah 32:17
When you live a righteous life, peace follows. Sometimes we have stress and worry and craziness in our lives because we live with duplicity in our hearts. We DO wrong and it leads to a lack of peace. We feel guilty, fearful, and afraid we’ll get found out. The solution is simple. Stop living that way. Repent. Do right.