When You're About to Snap - Regaining Peace!

Philippians 4 tells us there are 4 simple things that will help us have God’s peace in the midst of tense and trying times. In fact, this scripture commands us to follow these things to get the outcome of peace that passes all human understanding. If God commands us to do something, then we are able and capable through His Spirit. We may have to try more than once but we can succeed at it or He wouldn’t call us to do it!

1. REJOICE IN THE LORD - Rejoicing is a prophetic decree - it lifts the name of God above both our circumstances and the thoughts that try to plague our minds and lead us in the direction of defeat.

The human mind can’t go in two different directions at once. If we’re counting to 10 we can’t say our ABC’s at the same time – the brain can only go down one road at a time. If we’re recounting the goodness of God it’s pretty difficult to think on the things the enemy is trying to defeat us with – especially because rejoicing involves spirit, soul and body. True rejoicing won’t leave your shoulders hanging while you pay lip service to God with a song of praise. Paul and Silas exclaimed the goodness of God and the excellence of His name while in prison because God’s excellence and goodness are constant no matter what our circumstances. The prison doors opened shortly after their rejoicing began!

2. LET YOUR MODERATION BE KNOWN TO ALL MEN –Be gentle and patient in your speech and actions. Don’t fly off the handle and release your frustrations and confusion on other people – take it before the Lord and let the Holy Spirit work on your heart. Be considerate and unselfish – even to the people the enemy may be using to bring about your trying circumstances.

3. BE CAREFUL FOR NOTHING – Let NO THING bring worry, fear or distraction to you. We are not overcome by fear and we do not shrink back, but we stand strong in the Lord and the power of His might. Who of you, by worrying, can add one inch to your stature so that you can tower over your enemy? Growth never comes by fretting, fear and worry. Anxiousness and distraction are works of the enemy and they have no place in the peace of God. They are like round pegs in square holes – they don’t fit in God’s plan for victory!

4. PRAY AND GIVE THANKS – Take your requests to God, cry out to Him and see Him as your source - not your boss or your pastor or your best friend. Mingle your prayers with a thankful heart, knowing that God never fails us or forsakes us. No one forsakes his own Body, and we are His Body.

And God's peace … which transcends all [human] understanding, shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Php 4:7).