KEEPING YOUR HEART AND MIND
Scripture:
Philippians 4:7 "And the peace of God, which passes all
understanding, shall keep your hearts and mind through Christ Jesus."
God
has a remedy for frustrating times and days filled with
confusion. His Word says that He will give us a peace that goes
beyond our understanding and this peace will keep our mind and emotions
stable even in the midst of our troubled world. Yet, there are
things that we must do to achieve this blessed state of
peace. Paul gives us three instructions that will help us to
receive and maintain peace in our personal lives.
First, Paul
said, "Rejoice in the Lord always ... then again rejoice" (verse
4). Rejoicing, singing, and praising God, in the midst
of difficult situations releases tension and brings peace to
you. As you rejoice in the Lord, faith builds in your heart, and
that faith strengthens your inner man. Many times in the Psalms,
David spoke of being in distress and in fearful situations. He
expressed how he was hated and rejected by individual men and
surrounded by nations that were trying to destroy him.
He had lost his confidence in men and leaders. Yet,
regardless of the current situation, David declared, "This is the day
the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it" (Psalm
118:24). He was determined to praise the Lord in the midst
of all of the controversy and confusion that surrounded him.
Another
thing that is vital to peace is prayer. Paul said, "Pray and
be careful about nothing" (verse 6). Paul instructed us not to be
anxious about anything, but to pray, ask God to supply our needs, and
be thankful. Jesus also told us not to take anxious thoughts
about our personal needs, but to seek His kingdom first (Matthew
6:25-34). This does not mean
that we are not to make plans, for faith is not the absence of
planning for the future. We are just not to be anxious
or over burdened about life because we have a heavenly Father who
is concerned for us. He is the same heavenly Father who
feeds the birds and clothes the lilies of the field. He has
creative resources and can care for you sufficiently, so just tell Him
your needs.
Third, Paul said, "Think on the things
that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of a good report, virtuous,
and worthy of praise" (verse 8). You must train yourself to think
along these lines and guard your mind by disallowing negative
thoughts to intrude and build strongholds. When you allow
your mind to meditate on a word or a thought, you will eventually
receive it into your spirit. After it is settled in your spirit,
you will eventually give place to it and act upon it. It is like
a seed that grows and plants its roots deep. Negative thoughts
must be weeded out immediately before they take hold.
When
you keep your mind on God and His Word, He will keep you in perfect
peace (Isaiah 26:3). So rejoice in the Lord, pray, and think on
good things. As you do, you will have the peace that passes
all understanding, and that peace will keep your mind and your
heart in this troubled world. +++
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