Peace of mind

Bronc riding: not a source of peace of mind!

Notice the Philippians chapter four freedom, wholeness, mental health sequence so far: 1.Build relational harmony. 2.Rejoice. 3. Pray. 4. Be grateful. Results? Peace of mind. “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.”

“Peace of Mind" is defined by Wikipedia as, “The absence of mental stress or anxiety, and the presence of serenity, calm, quiet, comfort of mind, an inner peace. This shows the importance of peace of mind for overcoming and preventing stress and anxiety. It is actually the antidote for stress and anxiety. Making the mind quiet and calm prevents anxieties, worries, stress and fears and awaken inner strength and confidence.

"Peace of mind is an inner condition, and is independent of external conditions and circumstances. Someone well trained in it, and it is a skill that can be learned, can remain calm and in control of himself and of his mind, even in the midst of problems or difficult and unpleasant situations.”

I’d like to take Wikipedia’s comments and expand them with just one Bible passage. Jesus speaking in John 14:27 says, “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.” I believe that a level of peace of mind is attainable through training. However,Christ gives a depth of peace that the world can’t give – a peace with the Father, who is the source of “all we need.”

That is our challenge. Grow deeply in our awareness of how God provides for His children. Obey and act accordingly, praying with a grateful spirit. PEACE

Instead of getting anxious and fearful, instead of thinking negative thoughts and expecting the worst, instead of getting tense, unsatisfied and unhappy, you can choose to stay emotionally and mentally poised and unshaken. You can experience inner peace and happiness, as well as inner strength and confidence as focus is on our Source for life!

Some of the benefits of peace of mind:
# Deeper concentration to handle efficiently the daily affairs of life.

# It enables you to be less affected by what people think or say about you.

# It makes you feel relaxed and free, eliminating anxiety and worry.

Praying with a grateful spirit brings a peace of mind that is deeper than anything the world can provide for us. Our next post in the Philippians series will cover verse 8: focus.

Peace - Result of Knowing God

The topic of Knowing and Enjoying God has consumed my study the last several weeks.. Let’s press on to continue to know and enjoy Him more and more intimately, but for this study sake, let’s wrap it up.

In praying this morning, asking God how to sum it up, the reference of 2 Peter 1:2-11 and John 17:3 came to mind.

Peter begins his book, saying that his writing is directed to fellow believers in Christ. Then in verse 2: May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord. Multiplied grace and peace is a result of our knowledge of God. Examine with me the word “peace.”

I like my wife Theresa’s practical definition of peace. She says, “peace is resting, secure in the in the knowledge that God is in control and that He has unfailing love for me.”

The Scripture that best describes "peace" to me is found in Phillipains 4:6LB Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs and don't forget to thank Him for His answers. If you do this you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus.

The word “peace” has multiple meanings in Scripture.
1. Eirene is Greek describing harmonious relationships between men, between nations, friendliness, freedom from molestation and harmonized relationships between God and man.
2. Eireneuo is to bring to peace, to reconcile.
As an adjective, 3. eirenikos denotes peaceful. To be at peace with oneself and his/her world. It is called the fruit of rightesousness, being procured in communion with God the Father through His chastening: No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
4. James 3:17 describes the connection between wisdom and peace. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
5. Sigao is translated to “hold one’s peace” – to keep secret.
6. In the Old Testament Hebrew, peace is “shalom”, signifying wholeness.

Tomorrow’s post begins with the peace Paul speaks to in Philippians 4:7.

:eace of Mind

Discipleship. Spiritual Formation. We’ve examined this dynamic of the Christian life recently. I failed to mention one of the greatest results of growth in spiritual formation: peace. Peace of mind.

Recall Jesus’ words in John 14, “Peace I leave you, not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled.” As we gaze at the world’s condition with Iran’s nuclear threats, with the terrorist’s insane intent on destruction, the volatility of the stock market, etc. etc. there is a peace.

Temporary peace comes from the drug or the alcohol. There is a peace that comes from changing mindsets to “happy thoughts.” However, this peace is like the sand castle built on the seashore. It is obliterated – wiped out by the first wave of adversity.

One of the blessings of having walked with the Lord for a long time is the continual growing awareness that God loves me. That nothing comes my way that doesn’t have to have His permission. That nothing can separate me from His love. That He promises to work everything to my good. To know that in my gut, in shoe leather, not just my head, but meditating on it daily, brings an ever deepening peace.

“The world with all its blandishments cannot give it. The world with all its vicissitudes and fluctuations cannot take it way. It is the brightest in the hour of trial, it lights up the final valley-like gloom.” (John MacDuff)

Peace I leave you!