CONFIDENT PEACE
“…Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God…”
By Glenda Ward
McDowell County
Stress and worry are a thief of our time. We all experience stress and worry in our lives. We have times when we feel out of control and unable to balance our lives. We try to figure out how we can resolve a certain matter or problem, sometimes without going to our sustaining source first. When worry and stress overwhelm us, it robs us of the joy and energy we need for living. God is aware of what we need to live well and He has plans to provide them. We cannot achieve anything by worrying. Remember, when you are worrying and stressed-out God loves and cares about you. God knows of the desires of our hearts as well as our needs.
How can we influence a lost and searching world if we live our lives worrying about the same things as those who don’t yet know God? We are to relinquish our worrying. God will look after the rest if we live following His ways. He will provide all we need. We shouldn’t worry and stress about the future. God knows the plans He has for us, and if we confide in Him, trusting in Him, that will be all we need. Remind yourself that God has the plans for your life. We are to rest in that promise. Therefore, “…seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33).
Because of the ill effects of stress and worry, worrying may (1) damage your health, (2) cause the object of your worry to consume your thoughts, (3) disrupt your productivity, (4) negatively affect the way you treat others, and (5) reduce your ability to trust in God. There is a difference between worry and genuine concern. Worry immobilizes, but concern moves you to action. We are to turn to God first for help. Let Him fill your thoughts with His desires, take His character for your pattern, serving and obeying Him in everything. It is our responsibility to actively choose to give God first place in all areas of our life.
Planning for tomorrow is time well spent. Worrying about tomorrow is time wasted. Careful planning is thinking ahead about goals, steps ahead, schedules, and trusting in God’s way. Planning, when well done, can help alleviate stress and worry. The worrier, on the other side, is consumed by fear and finds it difficult to put trust in God’s promises. Worrying lets your plans interfere with your relationship with God. Don’t let worry affect your relationship with your Heavenly Father! God is a leader who encourages and stirs us to move ahead in the tasks He has given us and will be with us all the way. He equips us so we can accomplish the tasks He assigns to each of us. He knows our future, and His plans are full of hope. As God goes with us and we fulfill his mission through Jesus Christ, we can have boundless hope. This does not mean we are without pain, suffering, or hardship, but that God will see us through a glorious conclusion. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” (Jeremiah 29:11).
God knew we would face stress and worry in our lives. He did not leave us to worry alone but gave us a process to follow instead. He does not leave us helpless. He provides us with a written plan. In Philippians 4:6-7 we actually have a formula to help us overcome worry in our life. It is written right into the Scripture. Worry + Prayer = Peace. Our needs plus Thanksgiving to God = Peace in life. Pray and Thank God for what He has already done for you in your life. Once you have prayed and thanked Him, then submit to Him your needs and allow the peace that only God can provide to wash over you. Be patient, it may not come immediately but pray earnestly and truthfully without ceasing and it will come! God has promised it. This is the best following to take in overcoming stress and worry, go to God first. Don’t go sharing your problems and worries with other people in your life. There is a time and place for that after seeking God’s face first. Going to God first not only blesses Him, but it keeps us from allowing our worries to increase. God cares. He wants us to come to Him first. And we can apply this recipe or formula anywhere, anytime. Don’t allow the enemy to rob you of the joy and peace that today holds.
Turn your worries into prayers. If you want to worry less, then pray more! Real peace comes from knowing that because God is in control, our citizenship in Christ’s Kingdom is sure, our future is set, and our victory over sin is certain. Take your cares to Jesus. Allow Him to fill you with wonderful peace. “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7).
Did you know that not carrying your worries, stress, and daily struggles to God shows that you have not trusted God fully with your life? It takes humility to recognize that God does care. Admit your need(s) to Him. When we turn to God in repentance, He will bear the weight of those struggles. Letting God have your worries is active, not passive. Don’t submit to circumstances, but go to the Lord who can control those circumstances. “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time: casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.” (1 Peter 5:6-7).
It has been established that the best for us is not to worry. We are to cultivate a life of peace and live with a peaceful heart. The antidote to our worrying is prayer, which produces peace. We are to do all we can to live in peace with everyone and that includes ourselves. The good news given by God, the ultimate Gift-Giver is to Cultivate a life of Peace, live Righteously, and live Wisely. The end result of the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives is deep and lasting peace. This is a kind of peace that produces confident assurance in any circumstance. With Christ’s peace, we do not need to worry. Fear, uncertainty, doubt, etc. are forces that are at war within us. The peace of God through Jesus Christ moves into our hearts and lives to restrain these hostile forces and offers up comfort in place of conflict and worry alleviating the undue stress. Jesus is willing to give that peace if you are willing to accept it from Him. If your life is full of stress and worry allow the Holy Spirit to fill you with Christ’s peace, God’s gift of peace in Jesus Christ.
When worry comes knocking, remember that God has gifted you peace and this gift of peace cannot be taken from you. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27).
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Glenda Ward is a member of Grand View Baptist Church in McDowell County and is a Christian writer/author of “Something to Think About” – weekly Christian Articles. She finds purpose and joy in writing Church Programs & Bulletins, VBS Material, Christmas and Easter Programs, Memorials, and now expanding to include weekly articles to other churches, as well as writings to include Christian-based articles on Relationships in Marriage; all material based on the KJV of the Bible. From personal experience, I hope to set an example of how to serve a risen Savior and live by the Holy Spirit with joy. My goal is to help people partake of the better option in life to experience the transforming power that is available in Christ Jesus today. You can read more, good, Christian news from Glenda HERE.
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