Life is about living in peace…peace with those who negate you, peace with those who cause you strife, peace with those who ignore you or make you feel less than, peace with those whose words bring you pain. But how?
1. Know He is Your Overcomer
”I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
Whatever trials, whatever tribulations you face in this life, Jesus has already overcome them. Because he has already walked through the fire for you, you can find your peace in him. You can rest in him, trusting him to hold you through your storms and help you fight your battles.
2. Let Him Be Your Peace
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. (Isaiah 26:3)
If you keep your mind and thoughts directed towards Christ, and not this world, you will live in peace. When you put your trust in Christ, nothing can overcome you. No words will have power over you. Satan will have no authority in your life.
3. Remember That He Cares For You
Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7)
When you feel like nobody cares and you are all alone, Jesus is there. He cares for you in your hard times and your worries, and He is there to celebrate your joys as well. You are never alone when you walk with the Lord. Trust him. Take his hand and step into a life of peace.
4. Do Your Part
If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. (Romans 12:18)
”As far as it depends on you”… Are you doing all you can to live peaceably with others? Or are you committing your time and energy to maximizing strife? When someone offends you, do your best to overlook it. Don’t grab ahold of the offense, pack it in your bag, and take it with you wherever you go. Don’t plant it, water it, and nurture it into something greater than it needs to be. Let it go!
5. Strive For Joy
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. (Romans 15:13)
When our hearts are filled with joy, there is simply no room for anything else. Seeking God daily, getting into His word, praying, and just taking time to be still in His presence and realize all of the blessings He has bestowed upon us can fill our hearts with so much joy. When our hearts are joy-filled, that joy will be on display in our words and actions.
Life is going to hand us some lemons. There are going to be times when we are hurt by someone, angered by a situation, or lost in our worries. But our God is so much bigger than the hurts, the anger, or the worry. He is Mighty. He is All-Knowing. He is our Rock. He is our Light. When we step out of the darkness that comes from these negative emotions, and step into His glorious light, our lives are changed for the better. When we realize our worth and value as a child of God, no one can make us feel less than. When we choose to walk like Jesus, turning the other cheek when necessary, our lives are far less consumed with negativity. There is no room for negativity in the Kingdom of God.