The Secrets of Peaceful People

I love the peace of God, there is nothing that compares to it! However I need to clarify, I do not think of peace as ‘quiet and boring,’ I believe that peace is like a river, a river can be serene at times, but around the next bend it can become rapids of water crashing over rocks, yet still is peaceful.

Peace is internal, peace is simply the absence of internal war. When war is raging in our hearts and minds, peace is not in us. However, it doesn’t matter what is going on outside of us, peace is still possible!

Whenever I sit down over coffee with someone who is struggling, it seems that one or all of these four factors contribute to their heavy heart. We all want to have days filled with peace, but peace does not happen on accident. Depression and anxiety are much more convenient than peace, even though we desperately desire peacefulness in our lives.


Four “F’s” of Peaceful People

FOCUS

What are you looking at in life? What is the focus of your thoughts? Are you thinking about problems or the might of our God? It can be overwhelming to think on the problems, but peace and joy can come when we focus on the Lord.

Romans 8:5-7
The mind of sinful man is death,
but the mind controlled by
the Spirit
is life and peace;
NIV

Philipians 4:8
Finally, brothers, 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.
NIV

Consider one of the “issues” in your life right now and submit it to this verse. Look for the good, look for the things to be thankful for and think about those.


FORSAKE PRIDE and JEALOSY

Psalms 37:11
But the meek will inherit the land
and enjoy great peace.
NIV

Proverbs 14:30
A heart at peace gives life to the body,
but envy rots
the bones.
NIV

Pretty simple, there’s no peace in our hearts when we are living in pride or jealousy.

FORGIVENESS

This one is huge! People who have peace in their heart (and even scientists!) have discovered that holding unforgiveness only brings them down and leads to depression. It contributes to a life void of joy, peace and happiness.

Col 3:12-14
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe
yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear
with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one
another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on
love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
NIV

FAITH

Faith is simply TRUST. Trusting that God is real, that He loves you and that your life is intricately woven by Him with a plan that He will bring to pass in His time.

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on
your own understanding;
6 in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will
make your paths straight.
NIV

Lord, help us all to look to You for our peace and understand Your love, because knowing how much You love us is the greatest key to peace that there is!