Our next study of the Living by the Spirit
series centers on peace. Wikipedia describes peace as “a state of harmony
characterized by the lack of violent conflict.”
On one hand, this is true. A time
of peace typically follows a time of war.
Certainly, peace would be difficult during violent conflict, and yet, it
is not impossible. One can have peace
during extremely unsettling circumstances while another who enjoys all of
life’s luxuries may lack peace.
In Ecclesiastes, we learn that Solomon
tried many things to find peace and happiness: building and planting, many
servants, wealth, music and many other worldly pleasures. Yet Solomon could not find peace in these
things. Instead, he noted, “Let
us hear the conclusion of the
whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty
of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13.) By
reverencing and obeying God, we can find true peace.
Peace is an often sought-after but seldom
obtained quality in our world today. According
to the CDC website, data collected from the National Health and Nutrition
Examination Surveys reveals that the use of antidepressants rose nearly 400%
according to figures tallied in 2008 as compared to previous survey results tallied
in 1994. Note this disturbing fact: \
“Antidepressants
were the third most common prescription drug taken by Americans
of all ages in 2005-2008 and the most
frequently used by persons 18-44 years.”[1].
It may not surprise us that the surveys
revealed that females were more likely to take antidepressants than males. It is indeed frightening, however, to learn
that the amount of antidepressants taken by children and teenagers had greatly
risen over a span of approximately twenty years.
What is the reason for the increasing lack
of peace of mind? Certainly genetics do
play some role in increasing the vulnerability to depression of those with a chemical
imbalance in the brain; however, I am personally convinced that sometimes
people are led to believe that the reason for their depression is due to a
hereditary cause when there are one or two other causes that have been
overlooked. These causes are environment
and spiritual health.
No, I am not a physician or a psychiatrist
and am therefore not attempting to provide any medical treatments. However, as a woman who has suffered from
depression and anxiety and who descends from a long line of women with
emotional disorders, as well as one who has studied the Bible regarding the
subject, I am merely seeking to point out some things I have learned in the
hope that these lessons may help others who find themselves in the same
situation.
If you are suffering from severe emotional
problems, please by all means consult a physician or psychiatrist to determine
the case. Sometimes, there are very real
physical causes such as mineral or chemical imbalances that must be treated
medically. Yet at the same time that you
are seeking medical advice for the causes, it is wise to study God’s Word and
pray fervently to ensure that you are not merely doctoring the side effects
without addressing the underlying cause.
The first area that may be overlooked is
our environment. Do we surround
ourselves with fellow Christians who are concerned for our souls or do we spend
time with people who neither worship God nor seek to obey Him? (2 Corinthians 6:14.) Do we spend much time in study of God’s Word
or watching shallow, immoral movies and TV programs? I believe that the more we surround ourselves
with filth, the less peaceful our lives will be.
The second area (which overlaps the first)
is our spiritual condition. We cannot be
at peace unless 1) we are right with God, 2) we are ignorant of God’s Word and
do not know that we are in jeopardy or 3) we have hardened our conscience to
the point that our sin renders our hearts impenetrable to the Word of God. Not everyone who suffers does so due to sin,
as evidenced by the crucifixion of Jesus and the imprisonment and murder of
Christians in the first century; however, if there is sin in our lives for
which we have not repented, and if our consciences are not seared, we can
expect that we will not have peace.
To determine how we can attain peace, let
us begin at the source of all wisdom and understanding: God’s infallible Word. The Psalmist understood where his sense of
peace originated. “I will both
lie down in peace, and sleep;
For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety” (Psalm 4:8.) There is no peace without God, for He alone
keeps us safe. Psalm 37:37 teaches us that those who are blameless and upright enjoy
a future of peace. Only by being in a
right relationship with the Lord can we truly defeat depression, anxiety and
other debilitating emotional unrest.
Remember the children’s song based on Luke 6:47-49? “Oh, the wise man built his house upon the
rock…” What happened to the house built
upon the rock when the “rains came tumblin’ down”? The house stood firm. This symbolizes the stability of a Christian
who builds his life on the Rock – that solid foundation of Jesus Christ our
Lord. He will stand firm, regardless of
whatever befalls him.
On the other hand, let us consider the fate of the house
which the foolish man built upon the sand.
Though the two houses looked the same to anyone who visited, the house
built on the sand had no firm foundation.
Both owners could entertain guests, sleep comfortably and dine upon fancy
china in their homes for a time, but when the torrential rains and flood came,
only one would survive.
The same is true of us.
We may have it “all together” – a wonderful family, a great job and good
friends – but if our lives are not first built upon Christ, our life is a
disaster waiting to happen. When the
enormous troubles of life come, we may find ourselves in the midst of a mental meltdown. It is then that we truly learn we are unable
to do anything and we amount to nothing… that is, on our own. With God, all things are possible, but
without Him, nothing is possible for long.
Our lives without Christ are a farce and have no real substance.
We must realize that having put on Christ
is not enough if we do not continue in Him.
We must remain faithful throughout our lives by studying His Word, applying
it to our lives and seeking to always please and serve Him. Even when we don’t feel like loving others
and doing good, we must do so. Psalm
34:14 teaches, “Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” And we are told in Psalm 37:37: “Mark the
blameless man, and observe the upright; for the future of that man is peace.”
Additionally, we must seek to make peace in order to have
peace. “If it is possible, as much as
depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” (Romans
12:18.) It is our responsibility to seek
peace with others. Note that “if it is
possible” is included, for if our brother or sister in Christ violates God’s
commandments and refuses to repent, there can be no peace. We should feel a sense of grief for their
souls. Peace should never come at all
costs, for there is a time when we must stand up for what is right as the
apostles did and face ridicule and persecution.
Aside from circumstances such as this, the majority of situations do
call for us to keep peace with others even when we must bite our tongue and
overlook annoyances.
If we will constantly strive to always put
God first and others second (with ourselves last), I believe we could enjoy a
life of peace that we have never known. Certainly,
our struggles would not end because this world is filled with pain. Because sin exists, there will be heartache,
sickness and grief. But we can look
forward to the Home of Eternal Peace – Heaven!
A place where God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit
commune with us and we never feel sorrow or pain again. A place where there will never be “violent
conflict” but only peace, harmony and unity.
God wants us to have peace with Him and
with one another, but we can only do this by living righteously. We must become a Christian in the way that
God requires and when we sin after we have become a Christian, we must repent
and seek God’s (and those who we have hurt)’s forgiveness. The Psalmist writes, “Great peace have those
who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble” (Psalm 119:165.) And Proverbs 3:1-2 states, “My son, do not
forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands; for length of days and long
life and peace they will add to you.”
Let us always keep in mind that God wants
His children to be at peace. Though we
will be rocked to the core at times, our faith and hope in Him can keep us
joyful and at peace deep within our souls.
We may bob like a cork in the ocean during troubling storms, but we have
an Anchor that keeps us rooted. He is
Jesus Christ, our Solid Rock and Foundation.
God will keep those “in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on” Him. Why? “Because
we trust in Him. (Isaiah 26:3.)
On the other hand, “There is no peace, says
the Lord, for the wicked” (Isaiah 48:22 and 57:21.) This is important for us to remember if we
find that we have no peace and that our lives are filled with turmoil and
anxiety. Perhaps we are suffering as
righteous Job, who was being tempted by Satan through no fault of Job’s. Or perhaps we have loosened our grip on the
Savior and are attempting to handle everything ourselves. It may even be that sin has crept into our
lives and we have no sense of hope or peace but only fear of the Judgment
(Hebrews 10:27.)
When we find ourselves being battered on
all sides, it may be wise for us to take spiritual inventory to ensure that we
are in a right relationship with God. If
we are not, we must get right with Him according to His Word. If we are in a right relationship, then we
must take our worries to the Lord in prayer.
Today’s passage is one of great hope: “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” (Philippians 4:6-7.)
I encourage you to tape this Scripture to
your mirror and read it as you are getting ready for the day and brushing your
teeth before bedtime. Remember not to
worry about anything, but give all of your concerns to God in prayer, thanking
Him for His blessings and love. Only by
giving our troubles to the Lord can be feel the deep, unexplainable peace that
can only come from Him.
I pray
that the Scriptures shared today have helped give you peace. May you have a wonderful day filled with
peace from Christ! “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon
you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and
give you peace” (Numbers 6:24-26.)
[1] http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db76.htm#fig4
