6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. Philippians 4.
Stop the drama! Be a person of peace. Blessed are the peacemakers, Jesus said. For they shall be called the children of God. Make peace, bring peace, leave peace. You will be fondly thought of.
Personal peace is another matter. That requires some intentionality.
I had a friend who when we parted after meeting he would not say, Be careful, drive safely, or call me when you get home. His parting words were always, Have fun! I got to like that. He expected me to make it home OK. He respected my driving ability and judgement. And he wanted me to enjoy my life. I always left him feeling good.
Today I want to be as my friend. Have fun. Or in Paul’s words, Be careful, or anxious for nothing. If you cannot produce that then use the God plan to make it happen. Pray. Peter put it another way. Casting all your care upon him. (1 Peter 5:7). That will end your care filled life and clear your brain.
Your prayer must be purposeful. You want to rid yourself of care,
anxiety, stress, and negative thought patterns. So bring everything to God. As the old hymn says, Take your burden to the Lord, and leave it there. Thank him for hearing your prayer and receive his peace trusting his love and care. His immediate answer to your prayer is peace.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Finally as the apostle says, deliberately think differently.
You can choose from eight areas of productive thought arenas you can enter to head you in the right direction. The whatsoevers of peace directed mind exercise. Whatsoever means that within these eight categories there is a very wide selection.
Whatsoever things are true,
Whatsoever things are honest,
Whatsoever things are just,
Whatsoever things are pure,
Whatsoever things are lovely,
Whatsoever things are of good report;
If there be any virtue, and
If there be any praise,
Think on these things.
Now initially, the apostle leads us to the peace of God. That is a good thing to enter into. That comes by prayer.
But deciding to divert your thoughts in the direction of the above mentioned areas will take you beyond that. See this is the way Paul lived. He says do what I do. And you will enter into God’s world.
And the God of peace shall be with you.
When God becomes your traveling companion in life you will rest in peace while alive.
-PJF-
Purpose! Ministries
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