PEACE. Over the last year our family faced a lot of unknowns, which can cause stress. I found encouragement and much needed relief by reading a lot of verses about God's perfect peace. Psalm 34 tells us to "seek peace and pursue it". I love the picture of seeking and pursuing, even chasing after God's peace. As a parent, I know that peace over our family and kids doesn't always naturally “happen”. And last year it was a battle to just sit and "receive" it. So when the going gets tough, the tough get up and GO after peace. So I learned to actively choose peace in those moments... to CHASE peace if I have to! I give those nervous butterflies to God, give every concern to God, give any doubts or insecurities to God. He is training my mind to be steadfast.
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast,
because they trust in You.
~Isaiah 26:2-4
Philippians 4:6-7 was been our family's theme verse over the last year. And this free printable is framed on our shelf. There have been times I read it daily, sometimes hourly. When things are out of your control and stress looms, here is a great “how to” verse on getting peace.
This verse took me to school. It beat the anxiety out of me until all I could do was pray and choose peace. It guarded my heart from breaking and my mind from freaking. I was officially schooled. So here it is broken down in case you need the same schooling:
How To Chase Peace 101:
Step 1. Snap out of it - stop the downward spiral of anxious thoughts.
Step 2. Pray - Replace those stressful thoughts with prayer & petition.
Step 3. Be thankful - give thanks (out loud even) for every little bit you can think of.
Step 4. Present your requests to God - be specific! Sometimes we forget to think through what we actually need and specifically ask God for that (James 4:2-3).
Step 5. Repeat as necessary.
And what are the results of this "how to"? You will be guarded - your heart, your mind - GUARDED. Protected and covered with a peace that doesn't make sense. It transcends all understanding. You won't get this kind of peace from any other place. It only comes from Christ and putting your trust, your prayers, your life in HIS hands.
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.
Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
~ John 14:27
