Can We Really Have Peace?

“I am leaving you with a gift- peace of mind and heart!  And the peace I give isn’t fragile like the peace the world gives.  So don’t be troubled or afraid.”  John 16:27 The Living Bible

We all long for peace.  We want peace in our minds, in our hearts.  We want peace in our family and our relationships and we want peace among nations. Peace is attainable. Peace is a fruit of the Spirit.

The world has become a very stressful place.  Our fast paced competitive society and broken relationships keep us stressed out most of the time.  Every day the media reminds us of war and political discord in our own country.

 How can we keep our mind at peace without hiding our head in the sand?
Magazines advertise products and activities to relieve our anxiety. They sport articles on managing anger in order to get into a happier healthier life. Politicians advise diplomacy instead of war to make peace.  Diplomacy works for awhile until another unmanageable unforeseen crisis arises.

Peace with God and peace from God is possible in this troubled world.  God says so and He never lies.  The answer is in His Word in Philippians 4: 6 and 7: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs and don’t forget to thank him for his answers.  If you do this you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand.  His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus.” [The Living Bible]

The secret is in laying our worries and cares at God’s feet and leaving them there.  Every time you feel stressed out again go to God and lay that thought that is stressing you out at His feet.  You might have to do it again and again.  It does become easier as you practice this discipline. What you’re doing is letting go of control and giving God the right to be God in this situation. It’s only when we submit to God that He can give us peace.

 

 
Bible Truths to Share with Your Kids:

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs and don’t forget to thank him for his answers.  If you do this you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand.  His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4: 6 and 7 [The Living Bible]

God wants to give you peace.  He wants you to feel comfortable and relaxed, not worried or upset about life or school or the things in life that are getting you down.

Sometimes we as adults don’t take kids worries and problems seriously.  I know kids have real problems too. I once was a shy kid who worried a lot about everything.  One day I found a way not to be worried or stressed out anymore, even as a kid.

A Sunday school teacher told me that in the Bible God says I can cast all my cares on Him and He will care for me.  So what does that mean; just what it says.  And I got it.  God wants you to put all your problems on Him and He will work them out.  It doesn’t mean you just walk away.  First you have to do your part.  You do what you know you can do to solve the problem and then you give the rest to God and wait to see what He does to help you.  It gets very exciting.
Here is a concrete way you can give your problems to God.  Find a small box; there’s probably one lying around your room or house somewhere. Check in the basement.  That’s where I find my extra boxes.

Tape a big sign “God’s Box” on the side. Take a piece of paper and  write on it, “ Here God,   I give you my problem with math. I’m not going to worry about it anymore. I will study and do my very best on the assignments and test.  But instead of trusting myself I will trust You to give me good results.  You take care of it.  It’s not my problem anymore.” Pray this to God and put it in the box.  Put the box in a conspicuous place in your room so it reminds you that God is in charge of your problems, not you.

Or another problem you might want to give to God is that football game you’re playing tomorrow.  You write the same thing: “Here God, I give you my worry about the football game.  I’m scared I’ll mess up. I practice and know all the moves and I try my very best. So you make it work out well.  I know that doesn’t mean we’ll win but You are in control and You will make it a good situation.  But You know I really want to win so help us all to play together well as a team.” Pray this prayer to God. Put the note in God’s Box.  It doesn’t mean you just sit around and dream about winning.  You do your very best. You practice. You get your rest and eat right. But you can trust God to take care of the situation.  Let go of your worry.

You can do this exercise with any and all of your worries. God does care for you and He wants to give you peace.  He says as we make our requests known to Him and leave them with Him that His peace will fill our hearts and minds. When His peace fills our mind there is no room for worry.