How Do You Secure the Presence of God in your Life?

The cutting edge of trouble slices into each person’s daily life. Jesus said, “In this world you will face trouble.” Yet he offered this assurance: “Take heart!  I have overcome the world.” Jesus believed in God’s power and presence even as he confronted life’s greatest evil.

When we’re forced to face our troubles, we can do so by believing God’s presence and power reside in us not just for coping with what life has hurled our way, but to give us wisdom for how to overcome any issue. God provides faith for moving against insurmountable odds.

God’s power and presence are available to those who trust him to help with trouble regardless of its dominance. 

God’s saving grace stands ready to snatch anyone back from the edge of despair, as mustard-seed faith reaches out to God’s love and mercy. God responds to your heart’s desperation as it opens wide to receive strength and healing.                 

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Fight the good fight, finish the race, keep the faith. Then there will be laid up for you a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award you on that day.  

~2 Timothy 4:7-8 (English Standard Version but Stated as a Challenge)

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When Is Failure Predictable?

Fear is powerful as well as alarming, for it can control your life. William Shakespeare identified the source of fear in his play Henry VIII: “Suspicion always haunts the guilty mind.” Guilt is the consequence of doing wrong.

Failure in some ways is predictable, for every person is an imperfect human being. Every reasonable person is aware of this truth because everyone has sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. As we confess our sins to God, he forgives and cleanses us from all unrighteousness.

Jacob felt justified in cheating his brother Esau out of his birthright as well as the father’s blessing. So it took decades for him to accept his sin and seek forgiveness. 

God will help you accept his grace and mercy. This will free you from fear and guilt as you accept responsibility for whatever has to be cleansed from your heart and soul. Do it now! God bless you.  

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“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me your may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

~John 16:33 New American Standard Bible

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What Makes Peace with God so Important?

What contributes to our joy and peace when preparing to celebrate an event is feeling prepared. Being careful not to get so caught up in the excitement of travel plans and potential social gatherings can keep stress and pressure at a manageable level. Take a moment to slow down and enjoy the preparation.

So many good, wonderful things pass us by when we get distracted and fail take in what’s evolving around us. What matters is being close to those with whom we share an event. Focus on the compatibility and intimacy you are privileged to impart to other people.

Let your family know you appreciate and love them for being a positive influence in your life. Seek peace with God as a first step in re-establishing and keeping peace with others. 

Peace with God is the reason Jesus came into the world, so let him fill you with his peace. The peace of God calms the hassled, troubled heart.       

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“I have told you all of this so that in me you will have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous, [be filled with joy]; I [Jesus] have overcome the world.” 

~John 16:33 Amplified Bible

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What Helps Relieve Tension Created by Stress?

No one is exempt from stress, regardless of economics, social status, or profession. All the uncertainties of life can never be completely erased. Fortunately, most individuals are able to adjust and accept an imperfect career, employer and colleagues, and even an imperfect family.

Suddenly being laid off or fired can be a traumatic experience, not only for the employee, but for the entire family. Although stress is not pleasant to discuss, talking about it frankly can surprisingly relieve some of the pressure, provided there is enough combined wisdom and insight to make needed changes.

2 Corinthians 4:8 provides encouragement: “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed, perplexed, but not in despair, persecuted but not abandoned, struck down but not destroyed.” The reason is that we have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ – faith which is a treasured resource for help in days of trouble. When trust and hope are present, managing stress is possible.

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These things I have spoken to you that you might have peace of mind and heart. In this world you will have many trials and sorrows but be encouraged for I have overcome the world.

~John 16:33 The Living Bible

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Securing Peace Within

It’s interesting to note that most businesses prepare for the Christmas season by purchasing products well in advance. I know someone who shops for holiday gifts in July. For this person it decreases stress and provides for a consciousness of peace. Being at peace with oneself is a worthy objective.

While securing peace is not always easy, conflict resolution is usually possible. What causes peace to be fragile and tentative is that human nature tends to believe one’s own way of thinking and believing is superior to others. Contentment, joy, and peace come by accepting that all people are created in the image of God.

While this may not totally eliminate disharmony, you can listen to what others believe, think, and feel without arguing. Although difficult, you can conduct yourself on this level. Listen to Philippians 4:7.  “Let the peace of God which surpasses all understanding guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.” That is God's gift to you.

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“I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart.  And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”

~John 14:27 New Living Translation 

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Peace That Satisfies

The generation that came of age during the 1960's and 70's was introduced to political upheaval, war, and a challenge to the established spiritual  and social values. It was a time of disharmony, yet out of that generation came the Jesus Movement and the sign for peace based on the Hebrew word shalom.

Peace without contentment, however, is rarely satisfying, but it’s possible that a fragile peace with its limitations can give way to a lasting and secure state of harmony. Even when peace is fragile, it’s possible to find joy and fulfillment by serving others and the Lord rather than focusing on discontentment.

God’s name is Jehovah Shalom, “the Lord is peace.” When He becomes our peace then stress and strife are subject to becoming manageable. This happens by accepting Jesus Christ as the Prince of Peace. He then instills in us a new attitude and perspective on how to live and enjoy the peace he gives.   

     

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 “I have told you this, so that you might have peace in your hearts because of me. While you are in the world, you will have to suffer. But cheer up! I have defeated the world.”

~John 16:33 Contemporary English Version

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When Trouble Comes Knocking

Trouble is no respecter of persons. It may come in the best of times or on the wings of a storm with explosive sound and fury. It’s presence, however, cannot be ignored or denied. Some people try to avoid trouble by refusing to believe it exists, even when it's no longer knocking at the door but has come barging in.

Hiding from trouble is like hiding from the truth. Eventually reality becomes evident and cannot be denied. When I was a teenager, several hogs broke out of a holding pen and scattered over the countryside. Hours later after expending great effort to recapture these hogs that had taken flight, my dad admitted smoking cigarettes had damaged his stamina and produced irreversible consequences.

Trouble will test your integrity and endurance for doing the right thing. Galatians 6:9 instructs us not to "become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest, provided we do not give up." Regardless of how overwhelming trouble appears to be, ask God for strength and determination to endure. He will help you. 

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Jesus answered them…“I have told you this so that you will have peace by being united to me. The world will make you suffer. But be brave! I have defeated the world!”

~John 16:33 Good News Bible

Making Peace with Yourself

In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus addressed the issue of moral and spiritual responsibility with a call to righteous and ethical living. Knowing conflict is unavoidable, Jesus presented an alternative in Matthew 5:9 by stating, "Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called children of God." 

The opposite of peace is chaos, turmoil and confusion brought on by envy, jealousy and hatred. Jesus challenges every believer to be a peacemaker even when the task seems overwhelming. Diane Katz in her book, Making Peace with Yourself and Others, believes you must first make peace with yourself before branching out to others.

When Hezekiah, king of Judah, was about thirty-seven years old, he became so sick, death seemed imminent. Isaiah the prophet came to his bedside and advised him to "get his house in order" by making peace with himself and God. Making peace is accomplished by confessing to God every sin, followed by repenting and making amends. Now go and correct whatever is wrong in your life.  

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Happy are those whose sins are forgiven, whose wrongs are pardoned.

When I did not confess my sins, I was worn out from crying all day long.

Then I confessed my sins to you; I did not conceal my wrongdoings.

I decided to confess them to you, and you forgave all my sins.

~Psalms 32:1,3,5 Good News Bible

Jesus: “I have told you these things, that you through union with me may have peace. In the world you have trouble; but be courageous! I have conquered the world.”

John 16:33 Williams – New Testament in the Language of the People

Forgiveness: Choose It & Pursue It! Don't Refuse It!

Forgiveness is a choice as well as a privilege. One reason for choosing forgiveness is personal sanity and peace. Refusing forgiveness is choosing an embittered and tormented life. Internalizing anger, hurt and grief means hanging on to frustration, disappointment and bitterness that diminish the capacity for happiness.

Someone explained to me how difficult it was to let bygones be bygones. She was referring to a person she had loved and trusted, but from whom she had experienced rejection. Feelings of guilt flooded her conscience for being unable to forgive completely which left her with feelings of insecurity and the absence of peace.

Forgiveness has to be pursued by asking God to unlock every chamber of your heart and soul that may be harboring the slightest trace of resentment and hatred. Present and future happiness cannot compete with these disruptive feelings. Forgiveness depends on trustworthiness and honesty. Forgiveness provides hope for a life of peace and security. 

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Forgive us the wrongs we have done, as we forgive the wrongs that others have done to us.

~Matthew 6:12 Good News Bible

“I have told you all this so that you may find your peace in me. You will find trouble in the world – but, never lose heart, I have conquered the world!”

~John 16:33 Phillips – The New Testament in Modern English

“You didn’t choose me! I chose you! I appointed you to go and produce lovely fruit always, so that no matter what you ask for from the Father, using my name, he will give it to you. I demand that you love each other.”

~John 15:16-17 The Living Bible