He Remembers

Peace I leave with you.  My peace I give to you; 

not as the world gives do I give to you.  

Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid

 (John 14:27)

Peace.  We all want it.  We crave it and search endlessly for it.  But peace is illusive. At those rare times when we do achieve it, it is usually short-lived.  There is always one more thing to fret about and new things to fear if we allow ourselves to do so.

Fear is the greatest enemy of peace.  Especially fear of the unknown.  But there is no room for fear in the heart that is filled with faith.  God’s Word instructs us to:

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus 

(Philippians 4:6-7) 

Three basic elements that lead to peace are found in this passage:
1.  Relax.  Stop worrying and fretting.
2.  Talk to God about what is troubling you, and do so in specific terms.
3.  Thank Him that He is going to take care of the situation, in His time, His way, His place.

The verse that follows these three steps offers a valid means of avoiding the “what if’s” and “but supposes” that creep in and rob us of lasting peace.  Focusing on positive things leaves little room for fear and fretting:

Whatever things are true…noble…just…pure…lovely…of good report…of any virtue…

and praiseworthy – meditate on these things 

                                                                 (Philippians 4:8)

                                  Help us, Lord, to lift our eyes and see Your smiling face,
                                  to let Your peace and love flow in, our fretting to replace.
                                 Help us humbly, at Your feet, lay every stress and care,
                                 then walk away with joyful hearts, and leave our burdens there.
                                 Direct our thoughts to good things, Lord; virtues help us see,
                                 in order that our hearts and minds from fretting may be free.
                                 For fretting eats away our peace, destroys it day by day;
                                 Lord, fill us with the kind of peace that does not pass away.
                                 No matter what the circumstance, help us to trust in You
                                 believing that You’ll work things out, and to Your Word be true.