Inexplicable Peace

In the Old Testament, the priestly blessing included peace. “May the Lord bless you and keep you, May he make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6: 24- 26   In this context, peace is the absence of anxiety.  Peace seems almost to be a companion to joy.   “May God, the source of hope, fill you with all joy and peace by means of your faith in him, so that your hope will continue to grow by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13  In this verse God tells us how to obtain peace. As we surrender our will and ways, we trust the Holy

Spirit within to fill us with joy and peace.  “You keep him in perfect peace  whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you..” Isaiah 26:3 ESV  By keeping your purpose to honor God firm, and by placing your trust in God and His superior plan for your life, our Lord gives perfect peace and our mind is washed of angst.  “For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” Romans 8:6 ESV.  We are warned to not set our minds on the flesh lest we stray from His way to our selfish, anxious ways.  Speaking the Word of God out loud, allows God to govern our mind and usher in His peace.  Anxiety seems to be a prevailing malady in our world. Psychiatrists prescribe medication to those overcome with anxiety. Counselors talk with anxious people about the source of their anxiety. Some Christian counselors specialize in dealing with anxiety. When anxiety is the result of a chemical imbalance, pills can help and no one should feel bad about seeking help.   As

humans it helps to have someone with skin on to talk to when you’re feeling anxious. God wants to take away our anxiety. “do not be anxious about anything, 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 your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 ESV.  When we feel anxious we are told to pray with thanksgiving to God and His peace will guard our hearts and minds.  Keep a journal of when you prayed with thanksgiving about your concerns.  Keep a running list of answered prayers that you may be reminded of how God responds to your personal anxious thoughts with His peace that surpasses

all human understanding.  “You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment you know where I am….  Search me, O God, and know my heart; test my thoughts’ Psalm 139:3-23 TLB When you lack peace, pray this verse to God. When you do, be prepared for God to bring things to mind that you need to surrender to Him. “You cannot serve two masters: God and money. For you will hate one and love the other, or else the other way around. “So my counsel is: Don’t worry about things—food, drink, and clothes. For you already have life and a body—and they are far more important

than what to eat and wear.  Look at the birds! They don’t worry about what to eat—they don’t need to sow or reap or store up food—for your heavenly Father feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than they are. Will all your worries add a single moment to your life? ...... And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won’t he more surely care for you, O men of little faith?  “So don’t worry at all about having enough food and clothing. Why be like the heathen? For they take pride in all these things and are deeply concerned about them. But your heavenly Father already knows perfectly well that you need them, and he will give them to you if you give him first place in your life and live as he wants you to. “So don’t be anxious about tomorrow. God will take care of your tomorrow too. Live one

day at a time.” Matthew 6:24-34 TLB. "Whoever follows Jesus will never walk in darkness, but will have the Light of life."   John 8:12 --- To have is to possess, and as believing followers of Jesus, we have the Light of life, the Holy Spirit to keep us, guide us and lead us in His ways. --- We as mothers often feel like it is our job to worry about the daily routine of our lives and how things will get accomplished. If it looks like our funds may not meet the needs of our family, we tend to become anxious. THEREFORE God tells us that we cannot serve God and money. He is telling us not to let material needs overpower our trust in God. “I have told you all this so that you will have peace of heart and mind. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows; but cheer up, for I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 TLB.  As we believe in Jesus and trust Him with our future, we can we have inexplicable peace even while the world appears to be going to hell in a hand basket. A teaching by Andi Cook on the Fruit of the Spirit. Andi is a pastors daughter, a wife of a pastor, and a loving mother of three sons.  Andi also graduated from seminary and she has published several books on WATTPAD. Andi is gifted by God to write and you will be blessed by reading her books. COMING SOON is the Fruit of Patience.