Grace, grace, peace!

I was awakened early in the morning by the words "Let the peace of Christ rule in your heart." It's a curious thing and I've spent quite a bit of time thinking on it today. There are several issues around my world that have stirred up every emotion from depression, to pending loss, to worry, to fear. Jesus said I'm going to give you my peace and I don't give peace like the world gives peace. Reference John 14. Then he commanded -”Don't let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” His disciples didn't know how troubled their hearts would be a few hours after he spoke those words. He knew. He told them he was supplying peace of a whole different kind and level than what they were accustomed to. I don't know how much his words meant to them in the coming hours and days. I believe that after his resurrection, those words were incredible to them.

Of late, God has been teaching me the concept of speaking grace into stressful or fearful situations and then speaking peace to my own heart. I've truly become amazed at the results. Yet when 'stuff' comes up around me, I do become anxious and fearful. I really hadn't thought of it as fearful until the last few days. I like to say I'm concerned, but I realized that it is my fears that keep me in turmoil. I know what I believe should happen and what I wish would happen in a number of pressing situations and yet I have no control over any of them. Even in things I once thought I could control, I find I am helpless and I become anxious, worried and fearful. Everything from selfish emotional concerns to what I consider dire, destructive circumstances twist me inside. At the least, I lose. And the worst, others suffer. It seems hopeless in several rights, but then he speaks “Let not your heart be troubled; neither let it be afraid.” “Let the peace of Christ rule in your heart.” Colossians 3.

Paul instructed the Christians in Philippi not to be anxious or worried about anything but instead let God know what they need and want, retaining their thankfulness and he added "the peace of God which cannot be understood with the mortal mind will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4. Sometimes the pressure of the unknown, the pressure of desire for good results and solutions becomes so great that the heart feels it will explode. The mind is overwhelmed. I've prayed. I've done my best to be thankful and show gratitude and yet I am overwhelmed.

Jesus promised the Holy Spirit as a companion, teacher, helper to believers. One of the fruits of the Spirit is peace. Add that to his statement the night before his crucifixion and I see that he was saying “You already have been given incredible peace for every situation you will face.” Many of the scriptures I looked up this morning testify to that gift and empowerment of peace, so why don't I feel peace. Then the voice from the early hours speaks again to me “Let the peace of Christ rule in your heart.”

It was then amid all the verses, all the self recrimination, all the pain and angst of an unknown future, that a lesson from the past spoke to me again. With your mind you repent. With your mind you choose. Then the heart will follow. The will and the power to do will be there. If my mind will not choose to believe in the amazing goodness and grace of God regardless of what I see, my heart will not let the peace of Christ rule. If I choose to go back to the hype, back to the worry, back to the unknown that I cannot control, the heart will not let peace rule. When I speak 'grace,' I turn from the problem and speak 'peace' to my own heart. I must not return the way I came.

Let the Peace of Christ rule in your heart since as members of one body you were called to peace and be thankful. Colossians 3:15. Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to 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. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with Thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6, 7.