Never ending peace

New York Botanical Garden - July 2, 2017
iPhone 6 - ISO 32   32 mm   ƒ/2.2   1/920

When we focus on the peace that our inner strength may provide, we feel as though this is something that could be here today and gone tomorrow. There is a small discomfort of uncertainty in the back of our minds that our strength may be on point today but it could fail tomorrow? We often say "This is too good to be true…" as if we expect the bliss we experience today is not enough to be here to stay.

Different circumstances may arise in our lives, some for which we can be completely adequate, then trusting ourselves is so easy that our way is defined; but what happens the other times when thoughts of inadequacy and anxiety come up as we discover new territory for which we feel not prepared?

We still have the gift of experiencing a peace that transcends our own understanding. The kind of peace that even as we are cruising through life without a clear direction of where to go. The peace that even when we have a clear destination but no idea how the scarce resources we have today, will take us where we want.  In the midst of all of these doubts and in uncertain times we can plug in to this peace.

There is a practical way of finding and receiving this kind of peace that is found in God's beautiful word. God wants you to have the kind of peace that is irreplaceable and never ending.

In the bible, Philippians 4:4-8 instructs us how to connect with this peace, which will lead us to happiness and joy.

1. Be happy about what God has done for you already. Recall the times that He has completed what you felt you were inadequate to do on your own. The times he has taken care of your loved ones when you couldn't in your own strength or because of human limitations. Be joyful in the fact that there have been previous times when He has taken care of you and He has guided your steps.
2. Do not worry about ANYTHING but instead pray or ask Him about EVERYTHING. Anything you want or need. When you ask, give thanks… do so with your mind focused on thanksgiving and not on despair. The act of giving thanks changes the focus of our inadequacy or worry to focus on victories that have already been won. When our focus shifts from ourselves and the problem to God and His promises (especially the ones already fulfilled), the peace which is greater than all thoughts emerges in our hearts.
3. Lastly, focus on all good things and beautiful thoughts that inspire love, honor, justness. Think of things that produce inspiration of beauty, peace, and hope for goodness. When we think positively and when we affirm our minds around these things then the God of Peace - Peace itself - will be found in the midst of ANYTHING.

Phillipians 4:4-8  - The Message

"4-5 Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you’re on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!

6-7 Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

8-9 Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies."