“Let the peace of Christ be in control in your heart (for you were in fact called as one body to this peace), and be thankful” (Colossians 3:15, New English Translation).

So many people want peace in their lives, but it seems elusive to them. We do not live in a peaceful world and many do not live peaceful lives. That lack of peace is taking its toll on our emotions, our relationships, and perhaps even our health.

Peace has been described as “a state of tranquility or quietness of spirit that transcends circumstances.” What are the peace-stealers in our lives? Worry. Fear. Frustration. Disagreements. Conflict. Hatred. Bitterness. Resentment. Shame. Regret. Busyness. The list could go on, but these are some of the things we frequently battle in our daily lives.

Looking for a Solution

What is the solution? How do we find peace?

A friend recently shared how she took her troubles to the Lord in prayer, handing her problems over to Him. Then as she finished praying, she found herself picking them back up and taking those same problems with her again. She took them to God but did not leave them with God. I think we’ve all done that—perhaps more times than we’d care to admit.

The Steps to Peace

We allow circumstances to steal our peace, but there is an antidote. Philippians 4:7 promises a peace which comes from God that exceeds our understanding. We can’t explain it, but it’s real. His peace will guard (protect) our hearts and minds. As we read Colossians 3:15 (above), we find that this peace comes when we allow the Lord to control our heart. When He is in control, then we aren’t. We give up that option. Also note those three words at the end of the verse: “and be thankful.”

To further add to our search for peace, let’s look at Isaiah 26:3. “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” (New Living Translation). We add two more elements, trusting God and fixing our thoughts on Him.

Now let’s add the final steps in the peace process. It’s found in Psalm 62:8. “O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.” (NLT). God listens to our cries and becomes our refuge, a place to shelter in the storms of life.

Our steps to peace now look something like this:

  1. Relinquish control of the situation to God.
  2. Cultivate a thankful spirit.
  3. Trust God completely.
  4. Fix our thoughts on God, not our circumstances.
  5. Pour out our heart—tell the Lord what we feel.
  6. Make Him our shelter, our place of safety.

The Source of All Peace

Life will bring times of confusion and trouble. The enemy delights in weighing us down with negative emotions which rob us of peace. But God, our Prince of Peace, will walk beside us and bring the calmness and serenity we desire in our lives. He is the source of all peace.

Prayer: Lord, help me to relinquish control of my problems, my thoughts, and my emotions to You. On my own, my life is without peace, but You are the source of all I need. You are my place of safety, my shelter in the time of storm. I put my complete trust and hope in You.

Author

Mary enjoys traveling, meeting new people, and spending time with old friends. Although directionally challenged, she would rather take the back roads with their discoveries than the boredom of the interstate.

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