CAN WE KEEP OUR PEACE?

Peace is one of the most desired and beneficial feelings. But is peace just a feeling or is it more than that? True peace that is deep and profound, is found only in the relationship with Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. There are many factors that influence how we feel, and that is why in order to have peace, it is not enough to believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died for our sins. The peace of Jesus dwells only in those He is Lord of. And our relationship with the Prince of Peace must be close, intimate, and deep in all the areas of our lives. Such a relationship is not possible if we are not totally surrendered and submitted to God.
 
But to have real peace and joy is quite complicated to achieve. Why? Because we are influenced by many factors. A very important one is how much we truly trust in God. Do we really know that our Father God loves us, takes care of our needs, and protects us? When we worry and fear, we lose our peace and joy. But when we know for sure that we belong to our heavenly Father and that He is in us, with us and for us, no matter what we are going through, we can regain our peace and have full joy (Matthew 6:25-34, Philippians 4:6, John 16:24).
 
Self-denial, which Jesus speaks of in Matthew 16:24, is a requirement to be able to follow the Lord and to implicitly have peace. When self occupies second place, we want to obey the will of God more than to follow the lusts of the flesh, and this is evidence that we are being led by the Holy Spirit. What follows this change? We can have peace and joy even when what happens to us is contrary to the desires of our nature or when those around us do the opposite of what we want them to do.
 
Another important factor is how we think. If we change the way we think, our emotions and feelings will also change. This means that our behavior will change too. Therefore, the more we think in accordance with God's Word, the more peace we can have. Keeping our peace, makes us happier and as a result, our behavior will be more pleasing to God and those around us. You may say that no matter how hard we try to do what is right, we cannot control circumstances and what others do. It is true, but we can change how we react. If we ask the Lord to help us keep calm in all situations, and to help us choose to react as Jesus would, we prepare our minds for the right reaction. We must be determined not to give in to anger, worry, fear, panic, and even depression when things don't go our way, or we don't receive what we pray for, when and how we desire.

• Romans 8:5-6 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
  

 
Man has been created in the image and likeness of God and to live led by our spirit, that connects us to God. God wants us to be in constant fellowship with Him, know that we are precious to Him and He loves us dearly. When Adam and Eve chose to ignore the commandment of the Lord and obeyed the devil they died spiritually. Jesus came to reconcile us with our heavenly Father and get us back to where we are in His image and likeness, living led by the spirit, not by the soul. When we truly understand that we are in this world to return to the original purpose for which we were created, we will be able to live in complete peace. Only if we live this way can we reign in life through Jesus Christ (Romans 5:17) and not allow the behavior of those around us steal our peace.

• Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
  

 
If we stop after this verse, we might say: “How God? How can I be happy all the time when I go through life’s trials and tribulations?” But when we read the following verses, we find out what we have to do in order to be happy.

• Philippians 4:5-8 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things.
  

 
Gentleness is the opposite of cruelty, wickedness, ferocity, and that is why, if others consider us gentle, we are certainly not the opposite. A gentle attitude calms any tense situation. Gentle people have more peace, are less stressed and happier than others.
 
Worry is the opposite of trusting in the Lord and is often accompanied by discontent. When we choose to pray about what worries us and thank the Lord for the help and protection that He has already provided for us in similar situations, fear will turn into confidence and as peace settles in, joy follows. We do not solve anything by worrying, on the contrary, negative, toxic thoughts, fear and anxiety can have negative effects not only on the way we feel but also on our physical health.
 
Scientific studies show that about 85% of our worries are not real and never happen. If you're the type of person who worries about everything, like I used to be, you already know this is true. When I realized how absurd these kinds of thoughts were and that they were stealing my peace and joy, I decided that I had to change. But we cannot truly change in our own strength. We need the help of our Lord to do it and renew our minds with His Word. It is a process that takes time and effort and even if in tough situations, we are tempted to get back to our old bad habits, we must choose not to fall prey to worry and fear. We need to sincerely pray to our Lord to help us trust in Him no matter what and not focus on what happens in the natural realm. The Holy Spirit lives in us to help us become more like Jesus and teach us everything we need to know about our Lord, His Word, the Kingdom of Heaven and how to live pure and holy lives, so that we can enjoy true peace.

• Romans 8:15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”
  

 
 
Carmen Pușcaș