So many of us struggle with trying to find peace (and maintain it) in our lives. Some days, for me, I’m so thankful for it and other days I take it for granted. Then there are the days that I’d do just about anything to have a little sliver of it!
Some days I just need a little peaceful time, you know, like maybe some time for myself or maybe the need for peace and quiet when the walls of this tiny house close in tight and magnify every little peep.
And…
There have been times when I’ve needed the peace of God–that type that surpasses all understanding. And there’ve been days when no matter how hard I cry, how much time I spend on my knees, how many miles I walk while pacing my cage–peace seems far from me.
But…
It. Does. Come.
It’s my prayer that when you’re searching (and waiting) for the peace that only He can provide that these three truths will reassure you to have faith that peace is on the way.
HE HAS A PLAN FOR YOU
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 29:11 (KJV)
Sometimes, believing that God has a good plan for you and your life is difficult, I know. We can become so burdened and down in the weeds with our current circumstances and the confusion they sometimes bring.
When I struggle, I continue to pray for peace, and I also remind myself of the times before when He’s replaced the incessant warring in my mind with harmony and composure.
Sometimes it takes minutes.
Sometimes it takes hours.
Sometimes it takes days.
I keep praying and crying out to Him–and sometimes just plain crying.
And I also pull out my old journals. These are reminders of times in my life when He rescued me from the war within my mind and that around me and helped me find peace.
If you’re not journaling, I urge you to start today. Pick up a spiral notebook at the dollar store. Or here’s a beautiful recommendation of mine if you’d like something more inspiring and/or sturdy.
There may come a time in your future when you’ll need to be reminded of how hard the path to peace was to traverse but how He comforted you and kept you. That’s when you’ll be thankful that you took time to write down how He was faithful to deliver you in the past. It’ll help bring you peace by reminding you that this too shall pass, and, like before, He’ll be right there with you.
No matter what it looks like OR FEELS LIKE, rest assured, friend, He does have a plan for you and your life. Remember that old gospel hymn, The Unseen Hand? When you can’t see the plan, trust His unseen hand.
HE IS YOUR POWER SOURCE
You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV)
Chances are, if you’re reading this, that you already know that fretting and living with a chaotic mindset is exhausting and anything but peaceful. It takes a toll on us emotionally, spiritually, mentally, and physically. It also impacts those around us, especially those closest to us.
One thing I’ve found that’s helpful in my ability to achieve peace is to gain power over the enemy.
Yes, that’s right. The enemy robs us of peace, and his fave way of doing so is to attack our minds. The really bad part about that is that we don’t usually even know it’s happening.
It’s important for we believers to make it a continuous habit to be mindful about what we’re thinking about. When we aren’t meditating on the things of God (renewing our minds) then we aren’t tapping into God’s power. And that means…
we’re actually giving the enemy more power over us.
SOME SELF-AWARENESS QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF MIGHT INCLUDE:
What am I allowing the enemy to fill my head with?
What have I been telling myself, calling myself?
What have I been focused on thinking about more than anything else?
When I feel powerless and peace is hardest for me to find (and I finally get a clue and examine what’s going on inside this sometimes wishy-washy head of mine), I realize it’s because I’ve been listening to the enemy and the voices of this world.
His word tells us in Romans 12:2 that we are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, in other words, focusing on Godly things. And renewing of the mind has to be a daily occurrence…uh, um, some days perhaps a minute-by-minute occurrence?
Replace the enemy’s defeating, worrisome, and down-right-ugly thoughts with God’s thoughts and promises.
This is where prayer, memorized scripture, understanding your true identity in Him and having spent time in The Word really proves vital. You’re then able to come at the enemy with both guns blazing by telling him just what matters–what God thinks of you.
And all that good in my mind helps push out the bad.
And then my overburdened brain and weary soul begin to experience much-needed peace and rest in Him.
The more you plug into His power, the more peace you have.
You’ve got everything within you to come against the enemy’s plan of keeping you in a pitiful, chaotic state of mind. Ask for the help of The Holy Spirit that you have within you as a believer to help you change your mindset and channel more of His power in your life.
HE IS A GOD OF PROVISION
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 (KJV)
Another truth to remember when your search for peace seems daunting is that He is able. His Word says that He is able to supply our needs (note that it doesn’t say our wants).
Maybe you’re unable to experience peace today because you’re in need of something that seems so unattainable, so far beyond anything anyone can do. But, with God all things are possible.
Whatever it is that’s weighing heavy on your mind and heart, whatever it is that has caused you to doubt His plan, whatever it is that has allowed the enemy to take hold of your mind and steal your peace, take it to Him in prayer.
Earnestly pour out your heart to Him. Trust that He knows your every need and is able to deliver you, comfort you, and provide for you in a way that no other can.
As a handy reference and encouragement tool, I’ve put together a free printable of my favorite verses concerning peace. You can grab your FREE printable, 10 Peace-Filled Verses for Your Troubled Heart & Mind HERE. I hope you’ll find at least one scripture to memorize and meditate on.
He has a plan for you, so tap into His power source, and know that He is able to provide what you need.
Peace is on the way, friend!
What are some other truths and/or verses that help you when you’re seeking peace or some other strategies to help you when your mind and heart and troubled?
This article originally appeared on thestayathomescribe.com. Used with permission.
Writer by day, transcriber by night, Renée is a former educator, boy mom, PPD survivor, and recovering fear-a-holic. She lives on Christ and caffeine as she attempts to finally transcend mediocrity and live the life Jesus died for her to have. When not tied to her desktop and swimming in coffee, the Floridian can be found wherever the water is salty, spending time with her son and husband of 15 years.
She’s a contributor to The Good Men Project, iBelieve, and, most recently, The Washington Post. You can learn more about Renee’s journey and her passion for helping women find their worth in the Word, not the world, at The Stay@Home Scribe.
Image courtesy: Pexels.com
Publication date: December 12, 2016