Have you ever longed for peace? I have. I just didn’t know that peace was a benefit of trusting God.
For many years, I was hard-pressed to tell you what peace was or how to obtain it. For far too long peace was just a nice sounding word in a Christmas carol – probably because my life, as well as my internal experience, was anything but peaceful.
What peace is NOT:
Having grown up in a home with a depressed mother, and a Type-A father, there was often an undercurrent of tension.
It was easier for me to describe for you what peace wasn’t:
- tension
- hostility
- edgy silence
- resentment
- bitterness
- unforgiveness
The list could go on and on.
What is peace?
The dictionary (dictionary.com) defines peace “as a state of mutual harmony between people or groups; freedom of the mind from annoyance, distraction, anxiety, an obsession, etc.; tranquility; serenity.”
When my heart was troubled, what it longed for was peace.
I just didn’t know my longing had a name.
And I certainly didn’t know how to obtain it.
That is until I took a liking to the book of Isaiah and discovered the pathway to peace.
Isaiah provided the answer to how to garner this state of serenity:
“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” (Isaiah 26:3)
That’s the answer.
Peace is a benefit of trusting God.
Do you need peace today?
Meditate on Isaiah 26:3. Trust God and keep your attention focused on Him.
What do you need to trust Him about?
(If you have a question you’d like Dr. B to answer, contact her here now. Your name and identity will be kept confidential.)
Resource to Break Anxiety’s Grip
No question, we have a lot to worry about. Children, jobs, homes, health, finances, and more. The solution isn’t to rid ourselves of the sources of anxiety – as if we could. Instead, we need to recognize that anxiety originates from a spiritual influence and that we can fight back using the God-given weapons of power, love, and a sound mind.
We can discover true peace in an age of anxiety.
In Breaking Anxiety’s Grip, Dr. Michelle Bengtson shares her own story of emerging from the battle with anxiety as well as the stories of others. She reminds you of your identity as a follower of Christ and of the peace he promises you in spite of everything.
She provides tools to cope with the crushing emotional burden of anxiety now and, more importantly, shows you how to reclaim God’s peace as a way of life so that you can break anxiety’s grip.
Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises is now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, ChristianBooks.com, Books-A-Million, and other fine book retailers.
Click here to learn more: Breaking Anxiety’s Grip.
Amen!! I can identify with this message so much. As you know I grew up with my mom being depressed all my life and all those things you mentioned that peace WASN’T is exactly how it felt in my home. I walked around on egg shells afraid that I would set dad off and the tension and arguing was a constant flow. Add to that helping care for my younger siblings so peace was elusive for me. Thank you for sharing your life and your heart for peace. Trusting the Lord is truly the answer and the Isaiah scripture is a favorite. Love and appreciate you, Dr. Michelle, so much.
Thank you, Michelle. I, too, grew up with a lack of peace due to family circumstances and dysfunction. Love this scripture from Isaiah to discover not only what peace is not, but what real peace is! And I like how you make the connection that it comes from trusting in our heavenly Father.