We wonder how we can find peace in troubled times when there is so much chaos. Is it even possible?
Yes, it is with God. When we try to do it on our own, we get down, depressed, and are prone to worry. Self-focused is where we have our sites set on.
Peace in troubled times of 2020?
This year has been a tough one for many people. People have lost their jobs. Or their business closed because they couldn’t afford to be quarantined for weeks on end. Or the company may have had to downsize in order to balance the budget.
At work, our company had to lay off some staff. The hospitals didn’t get as busy when the virus first hit. Some staff moved to other sites and were trained. Others had to be let go completely.
Co-workers in my department worried that they’d be the next to go. I, on the other hand, did not worry. Why not?
Because with God, it is possible to be content when life is uncertain or hard times hit.
So how can it be done? Check out these 4 ways to have peace in troubled times.
1. Seek Peace and Pursue it
Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. Psalm 34:14 ESV
The Psalmist tells to us to walk away from the things that are evil. Why? Because it doesn’t do us any good. You know that old saying about you reap what you sow? Well it is true. When our focus is on what is bad, we get steeped in that muck and it just gets worse.
Shoveling Snow: an example of Seeking and Planning for Peace
We had blizzard conditions this past week that dropped 8 inches of snow on the ground in about 10 hours. A neighbor down the street decided to gun it through the snow at the end of the driveway that was left by the snowplow. And you can guess what happened.
Yep, he got stuck.
If had taken the time to seek out a shovel and pursue cleaning out the end of the driveway, he would have been on his way much earlier.
Instead, he drove through it. And the results were lost time, frustration, and anger at being stuck.
He missed out on having peace.
2. Praying about Everything Results in Peace
In the work situation about layoffs, a coworker asked if I was worried about the layoffs. I told her no. I know that God will take care of me, whether I am laid off or if I am still working. He knows the plan and I can trust that He will work it out.
Paul gives us a remedy to worry. He tells us to pray about every situation and present them to God. We should come with a thankful heart.
Sometimes it is hard to be thankful for the situation we are in, but it is good to have perspective. The situation is temporary and we are here on this early temporarily.
Our part is to pray, with thankfulness, and trust God for the outcome. This will lead to peace in troubled times.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 ESV
We are Promised Peace
When we do that, we are promised God’s peace. And that peace is so unfathomable. Peace will also guard our hearts and minds.
And having a guard for our heart and mind is so necessary. We tend to remember what has happened to us, which can cause anger and bitterness. When peace is guarding our mind, we don’t have room for negative thoughts or ungratefulness.
A guard for our heart would be so valuable in pursuing righteousness. Our hearts store good and bad thoughts, desires, etc (Luke 6:45 ESV). If peace is guarding our hearts, we will desire righteous living and act righteously.
3. Live in Peace with Others
There is that one co-worker or family member that just gets on your nerves. They know how to push your buttons. And out of self-defense, you have learned to push their buttons back. What would happen if you decided to act with peace instead?
Paul tells us in Romans to live at peace with everyone. Be at peace with the crabby co-worker, the grumpy neighbor, and the difficult family member.
If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Romans 12:18 ESV
God is the one who will avenge you. You do not need to do it for Him. That is His job! We are told to overcome evil with good – not more evil.
Why should we do it this way? It is the honorable thing to do (vs. 17).
From our last point above, we learned that we will have peace guarding our hearts and minds when we are praying about everything. Pray for your difficult people at work and in your family. Ask God to help you to live in peace.
4. Let Peace Rule your Heart
When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we become a new person. We strip away the old parts of our self that are not pleasing to God. And we put on characteristics that honor God. They are compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, loving others regardless of their faults and forgiving as God has forgiven us (Colossians 3:12-13).
At the list above, Paul also includes having peace ruling in your hearts. In other words, let peace be in control of your heart. Not your anger, not your worry, and not anything else. Let peace be it!
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15 ESV
Peace in Troubled Times: Reflection Thoughts
What is one thing you can do today to live in peace with your co-workers, family members, friends, or neighbors today?
************
Resource Library
Check out the resource library for bookmarks, Bible verse cards, and daily verses to read each day. Downloadable as thanks for stopping by God’s Plan Guided Steps!
