Need Peace?

by Poppy Smith

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I needed peace with God before I had a clue how it was possible. I felt guilty because I made choices that troubled me. So, when I heard that peace with God was possible—that I didn’t need to go around carrying a backpack of guilt and shame, embarrassment and self-hatred, I was ready to accept His forgiveness.

Asking Christ to cleanse and forgive me, to come into my life and take charge, was the beginning of lots of revolutionary life-changes—which are still going on!
But—that was many years ago. How about now? Do I, do you, need peace NOW? Given the state of our world, I suspect most of us need a reminder about where to find peace. Referring to the promised Holy Spirit, Jesus said,

"He will remind you of all the things I have told you. I’m leaving you well and whole. That’s my parting gift to you. Peace. I don’t leave you the way you’re used to being left—feeling abandoned, bereft. So don’t be upset. Don’t be distraught." - John 14:27
(The Message).

Look at that verse again. Jesus says there is a way to overcome anxiety about the world, worry about yourself or your family, and fear of the unknown. He hasn’t left us to cope with life on our own—as a former boyfriend or spouse or child might have done.

Even though none of us is promised a life of constant bliss and happiness, Jesus says He has not, and will not, abandon us when life is tough. If times are difficult for a variety of reasons, Jesus points to the ministry of the Holy Spirit. He can, and will, remind us of powerful and effective truths that turn our perspective from worrying like those who don’t know Jesus, to people of deep peace regardless of our circumstances. Here’s just three of many truths He wants to embed in our minds and hearts.

• Remember – Who God is:
  - The One who promises to lead the blind, Is.42:16
  - The One who gives strength to the weary, Is.40:29
  - The One who is with you in every difficulty, Is.43:1-3

• Refer your fears to the Manager - As soon as you recognize that familiar anxiety, refer it to God. Remember who He is and remind yourself of how you have personally experienced His powerful action in your life. Based on what you know of Him, make the decision to say, “I choose to trust you because of who You are.”- Prov.3:5-6
  
  
• Rejoice in His presence with lots of praise. Praise chases fear and anxiety and problem focused thinking out of your heart and mind.
  Praise reminds you of who He is, it focuses your mind on Scripture and the great and mighty God we serve.
  Get out your praise music, blast it out as loud and as safely as you dare, lift up your hands, dance in the Lord’s presence, or fall on your knees. Whatever you do, worship and fix your eyes on the One who is with You. Ps.33

When others around you are fretting, complaining, or anxiously saying, “what if?” go over these truths. In time your mind will go to automatic default—and your awareness of God will send fear packing as you choose to trust what He says about Who He is, and how precious you are to Him.

Copyright 2008 - Poppy Smith. All rights reserved.

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