Maybe you worried about losing your job, or had to choose between groceries and other bills. These stress - ors test our inner peace. And if they become the norm versus the exception, they can erode our health and well-being. Remaining calm in the face of trials is one of the hardest things we are asked to do. But peace should be central to our daily life. In fact, it’s impossible to sleep without some measure of peace (Psalm 4:8). Most people turn to doctors or medicine for relief but Christians must dig deeper. We must address the issue on a spiritual level. GOVERNING TOOLS Overcoming trials is never easy. It takes persistence, endurance, a measure of God’s Spirit—and effort. Peace doesn’t just happen, we must pursue it (Psalm 34:14). And we must use the tools God provides: prayer, Bible study, meditation, and fasting.
No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able. God promises to provide for our daily needs (Mat - thew 6:32–34). He is in control so we don’t need to worry. David wrote in Psalm 119:165, “Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to
When peace feels out of reach, it’s time to draw nearer to God.
God gives His gift of the Holy Spirit liberally (Luke 11:10–13). As we grow in His Spirit, we also grow in faith (1 Corinthians 12:1, 12), and the faith of God leads towards peace. When we cast our anxieties on Him (1 Peter 5:7), we can feel that peace begins to take over. After praying, turn to God’s Word. The Bible is filled with bedrock scriptures that put life in perspective. For instance Romans 8:6 states, “To be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” Being spiritually minded leads to peace—not just in the future World Tomorrow, but here and now. Take for example the Sabbath. Some lose jobs over it. For new believers, this can feel devastating. But Scripture reminds us in 1 Corinthians 10:13:
stumble.” If we want great peace, we must love God’s law. When trouble arises, ask: Am I aligned with God’s Word— His commandments, statutes or judgements? Peace is a major theme in Scripture and is mentioned in over 400 verses. Clearly, God wants us to have it. And when we let Him take the lead, peace follows. Developing peace takes effort. It doesn’t come quickly or easily. But it is attainable. Humanity isn’t naturally peaceful (Romans 3:17; 8:7). We must pursue peace starting with God’s Spirit (John 14:27). Over time, with consistent spiritual effort, it be - comes our way of life (Matthew 5:48).
4
Made with FlippingBook interactive PDF creator