How to Experience a Lasting Peace that can Quiet the Heart

​Hello everyone…and a very happy and blessed Friday to you all! Today, as I’m sitting here in my office, I am looking out to a very cold and dreary day; but praise God that His presence can bring warmth and sunshine into the dreariest moments of life!
As I’ve been spending a little time with God, before visiting with you this morning; I began to feel led to open an old study bible that truly has been my survival manual, during some of the darkest moments of my life…and as I was thumbing through some Bible verses; God seemed to lead me directly to Philippians 4:6-7…and we read… “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7) And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
I don’t know about you; but the circumstances that I have faced in my life, have sometimes made it very difficult to experience a true and lasting peace that can keep my heart on high with God. How is it that we struggle so much with this? I think that one of the reasons; is because there is a battle going on. I have come to see that when life is going smoothly; that this is when the ruts begin to appear in the road before us…and these ruts aren’t small ones that we can just step over; but rather, these ruts can seem almost impossible to get over or get around…and it seems that the more we struggle with these ruts in the road…the more we seem to lose out on the peace of mind that we once had.
We must remember that when these moments arise and begin to seem almost impossible to get through; that this is only because we aren’t strong enough…or really wise enough, to find the way that will help us to easily get over or around these ruts of circumstance.
So many times, I have come to see that we can lose peace of mind during the difficult times of life; because we spend so much time trying to figure a way out, when we really have no idea as to what we are doing…which only leads us to thoughts of worry…which from there only takes away from the peace we once had.
I think the thing we need to do, when these ruts appear before us; is to first admit that we don’t have a clue, as to what we should even begin to do…and from there, we must tell God all about it. In this way, we will be able to remain at peace, as we trust Him for the answer. If we can do this; then we will experience a peace that is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand…and this peace will keep our thoughts and hearts quiet, as we wait on Him for the answer to our need.
When I was a young girl, I had a father who taught me that anger was the best way to deal with a problem…and because of this; I too have struggled in this way. One thing God has taught me; is to not let life overwhelm me; but rather, to get alone…cool off and know that God is in control. Yes…the battle attempts to rage on; but more and more, I am discovering a peace that I never thought I could ever have…a peace that can truly keep my thoughts quiet and at peace with Him.
You know…we all have struggles in this life…and why…because we live in an imperfect world. Even though these struggles can attempt to remove our hearts and minds from the peace we once had; that doesn’t mean that we have to allow these moments to succeed. If we could just spend more time talking with God, rather than worrying; I’m sure that we would find that the struggle would begin to fizzle out…and not become so overpowering in our lives.
No matter what is upsetting you today…you don’t have to become imprisoned within these feelings; because I know a God who will listen to every hurtful thought and feeling of the heart; and as you spend this time with Him…I know that the upsetting thoughts and feelings that once attempted to overtake your heart and life, will now be exchanged for a peace that can quiet your heart, as you wait on God for the answers that can truly become the remedy to your hurting heart and soul…Amen!
Have a very blessed day…and always remember that peace is only found in the presence of God!
It’s Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane