You and I control our peace. No one else…
One morning, while on a pre-dawn walk with my husband, I felt a little grumpy. Mainly because it was early! I had been trying to find the perfect time to exercise because I know I need it, but my schedule (by my choice) limited my options.
So as we started out, I was feeling fussy. I knew I didn’t have a reason to feel this way because I’d had a good night sleep and it was my decision to go walking. I couldn’t put a finger on any particular reason for feeling the way I was, so I prayed as we walked.
No good. The more we walked, the more I felt ugh.
So I quoted Philippians 4:7 to myself, “And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” And suddenly it dawned on me WHY the peace of God passes our understanding… look at verse six:
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”
I was praying alright but getting nowhere. And in all honesty, other than praying for peace, I wasn’t sure what I was praying for in the first place. But the first 4 words of Verse six is the key: “Be anxious for nothing.” One use of the word be is to command. “Be still.” “Be on time.” “Be alert.” These are not suggestions. These are direct instructions expected to be followed.
So I commanded myself to be at peace, and immediately peace came. “…peace which surpasses understanding…” My mind didn’t necessarily know why it worked, but my spirit did. You see, we are spirit, soul, and body. Our spirit is the part of us made in the image of God, filled with His nature. Our soul is our mind, will, and emotions (the part of me that wasn’t at peace). And both of these are contained within our body.
But for the Christian, the spirit should always dictate and control the soul. Not the other way around.
As I breathed easier and continued walking in peace, I meditated on this principle and was reminded of another scripture which says, “This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil” (Hebrews 6:19).
Our faith in God and His Word anchors our mind, will, and emotions (our soul) when we remember to set the anchor. I’m sure you can picture how an anchor keeps a boat tethered to a certain position no matter what waves are pushing it around, right? Well in the same way, when we take command of our mind and emotions it’s like anchoring it to a fixed position (of peace).
I still don’t know why I was agitated. Sometimes we just are. But praise God we don’t have to stay that way or let it dictate (and ruin) our day or our witness.
So be at peace today! Take command of your soul and anchor it.
