The Roadmap to Peace
By: Kristen L. McNulty
Reprint rights available on request. Email the author at kristenmcnulty@hotmail.com.
If there is one thing the world seems to be short on these days, it’s peace. Wars and rumours of war come across our news feeds on a daily basis. There is a lot of chaos and turmoil in our communities and relationships. Even when we turn inwards, our hearts and minds can be filled with worry, fear and unrest.
While there is no formula or easy solution to world peace or peace in our neighborhoods and schools and communities, the Bible does give us a roadmap to peace in our own lives. Let’s turn over to Philippians 4:6-7 where it reads:
"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7
The Instruction & The Promise
Notice how verse seven begins with the word "then". In verse six we are given instruction and in verse seven we are given the promise of what then will come if we follow it. Verse six instructs us "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done." And then verse seven gives us the promise that when we do this, God’s peace will follow. Specifically the promise says "Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."
What an incredible promise of peace this is! A peace that is not dependent on perfect circumstances in our lives or the lack of chaos. A peace that instead comes in like a gift even when our lives are messy and covers us like a blanket. No wonder Jesus is referred to as the Prince of Peace! He is the same One who promised us, as recorded in John 14:27,
"I am leaving you with a gift-peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid." John 14:27
Stop Worrying & Start Praying
So the next time your heart and mind feels less than peaceful, stop and remember these two verses, both the instruction and the promise. Choose to stop worrying and instead start praying, telling him honestly is troubling you and thanking Him for all He has done. And as you do so, as you look back and recall all He has done before, you will be reminded of just how much He’s looked after you before and you’ll have the assurance that He isn’t going to stop now.
When you make the change and replace worrying with praying, both to tell God what you need and thank him for what he has done, your life and your faith will change. Instead of giving in to worry or panic, you will encounter the peace of Christ which can sustain us in any storm and strengthen us like you wouldn’t believe. The same peace that brought Daniel through the lion's den, Noah through the flood and Paul through prison, will accompany you no matter what happens in life. Closing off with a reminder from Isaiah 26:3 where it reads:
"You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!" Isaiah 26:3
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