We all want a life full of peace, but it requires something from us. Our Bible Journaling Scripture says, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” (Isaiah 26:3 ESV) We must be focused…our minds must be firmly fixed on God.
Sometimes it seems as if it is hard to find peace. Isaiah tells us the only way to find peace is to focus on God. Pastor David Guzik, on the Enduring Word website, says, “God promises that we can have perfect peace, and even be kept in a place of perfect peace. In Hebrew, the term perfect peace is actually shalom shalom. This shows how in Hebrew, repetition communicates intensity. It isn’t just shalom; it is shalom shalom, perfect peace.”
When we find ourselves at a point where peace seems fleeting, we must stop and turn our thoughts to our Heavenly Father. Think about all that He has done for us. Pray and ask Him to help us in times when we find ourselves at a point where even our attitudes are in chaos. The source of our peace comes when our minds have stayed on God. The NASB says, “The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You.” Our verse tells me that my mind must be steadfast and that God is the only One whom I can trust, and when I put my trust in Him, He gives me peace that the world cannot give me! “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7 NIV)
When there are areas in our lives where we need His help to achieve that perfect peace, we need to go to Him in prayer, study His Word, listen for His answer, and trust that He knows what is best for us. We can get ourselves so wrapped up in the things of this world that it sets us on a course contrary to what God would have for us, and that can bring a lot of confusion and uneasiness. The world’s idea of peace isn’t peace at all. The world chases after things that only bring discord and a sense that something is missing. The peace of God gives us a feeling of completeness, nothing is missing!
We need to ask ourselves what our minds are focusing upon. Are we overly concerned with material things? Are we distracted by events going on around us? What takes up our thought life? Keeping God at the center of our lives is what brings us peace. Then our minds are concentrating on what God wants for us and we are obedient to His will for us. Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us that we should, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.” (KJV) The more we trust Him and focus on what He wants us to be doing, we will have peace that overcomes anything the world can throw at us.
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