“Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
Mark 4:41b
Have you ever been in a riptide of emotions because of something negative going on? And then others just seem to throw it off? “It’s a big deal to me, why isn’t everyone else up in arms?”
I’m thinking that’s how the disciples responded in the middle of the storm Mark 4:35-41 tells us about. With fear and uncertainty, they woke Jesus (He was sleeping in the boat that was filling up with water!).
“Don’t you care what’s going to happen to us?” they asked. Immediately he hushed the storm, then turned and asked them, “Why don’t you have any faith?”
When the storms start to blow in my life, I can be just as much afraid as the disciples were in the middle of that storm. Whether or not anyone is “on my side”.
In Philippians 4:6-7 Paul tells believers the secret to being at peace.
“Do not be anxious about anything…
Don’t waste time stewing, wringing your hands, or fretting.
…but in EVERY situation…
There’s nothing we can’t bring to God.
Nothing too small or too big.
…by PRAYER and PETITION…
This is a stance of ASKING, not demanding.
…with THANKSGIVING…
NOT complaining. Even in the midst of the awful, there is
something to be thankful for. He is with us. He is our strength in the midst of our trial. He will help us overcome.
something to be thankful for. He is with us. He is our strength in the midst of our trial. He will help us overcome.
…present your requests TO GOD.
Not to the president, not to (whoever). Although God may direct
us to some action at some point, the FIRST place we
need to go is God.
And the peace of God, WHICH TRANSCENDS ALL UNDERSTANDING, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Nothing is too big or small for God.
In verses 8-9 Paul goes on to encourage believers to think on with right things.
“…whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”
Walking into the prayer closet, presenting all of our troubles to God, then walking out and filling our minds with what is not of God, leads us AWAY from peace! If you are fearful, don’t soak your thoughts in all the what ifs or bad stuff going on in the world. If you are struggling with temptation, don’t dwell on your next “fix”. Keep your mind on Him.
We’ll probably have to walk through this process more than once. Every time anxiety raises its head over a situation. And it doesn’t say that our circumstance will change, although sometimes it does, but that our hearts will change. And in HIS peace, we can weather whatever is going on.
That’s it. Almost seems too simple, doesn’t it? But certainly not always easy.
In 2016, I want less fretting and more peace. Will you join me? Let’s encourage each other to practice Philippians 4:6-9 and walk in peace.
Do you have an area where you would like to see the peace of God? Have you experienced the peace that Philippians talks about?
Dear heavenly Father, we bring to you our worries and lay them at your feet. We thank you for the good in our lives. Help us through this situation we are going through. Nothing is impossible for you and we trust you in the middle of this storm. In Jesus name amen.
Today I’m linking up with other encouraging posts.
Stop by and check it out! Click on the picture below.
