YIELD TO THE PEACE OF GOD WITHIN
REV. EKOW ESHUN.
SCRIPTURE: COLOSSIANS 3:15 (TPT)
”Let your heart be always guided by the peace of the Anointed One, who called you to peace as part of his one body. And always be thankful.”
It is not always easy to go through difficult situations and keep your mind stable and your emotions from “going wild.” In fact, different people react differently to difficult times and situations. Usually, both the mature children of God and the immature ones will handle tribulation and tough times differently. Actually, this is part of the growing process as a Christian.
Difficult and trying times test and expose everyone. What makes the difference, therefore, is how strong or weak you are on the inside. Indeed, real strength is having the indwelling Holy Spirit and knowing how to depend on Him in all situations. Remember 1 John 4:4; ”Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”
The greater and Stronger one dwells in you. In the midst of difficulties, tests and trials, many lose their calm, peace and emotional stability. It happened to Peter and some of the other disciples. One time, whilst in a boat, a great storm almost got them drowned whilst the Lord Jesus was sleeping in the same boat. Learn something here: ”Jesus’s presence your in your boat doesn’t necessarily prevent the storms from coming.” Naturally, in their fear, they woke him up and Jesus calmed the storm.
Usually, fear, anxiety, and confusion often seem to work together against many when times get difficult and uncomfortable. Fear creates negative and dangerous expectations. Anxiety makes one only see the negatives in every situation. Confusion leaves people with a lot of troublesome questions they don’t have answers to and therefore don’t know what to do.
This is where the peace of God comes in. As a child and heir of God, the peace of God is in you. You can either let it dominate you from the inside out or you can just react to your troublesome situation and let it affect your mind and emotions negatively.
Today’s verse is instructive. You and I are told to let the peace of God rule in our hearts. Letting the peace of God rule your heart literally means to allow him to be “like a referee” to determine your emotions and your next decision, to let the peace of God have the final say or prevail. It means to allow God’s peace in you take charge of your heart. That is why it is important to learn to practice being calm, quiet and still in the midst of trying times, and be full of thanksgiving whilst you are depending on the Holy Spirit within to tell you what to say and do next.
Strong believers really take their strength from the inner man where the Spirit of God dwells. Don’t lose your calm when things go from bad to worse sometimes. Don’t lose control when trying times come. The peace of God within is your strength. Yield to the Spirit of God, be calm, stand still and see the power of God manifests for you. Victory is yours.
PRAYER
I thank you, Father, for the supernatural strength I have within to face and overcome every difficult situation. This is who I am in Christ Jesus; a victorious one. Confusion and depression have no room in my life. No matter how difficult my circumstances may be, I yield to your Spirit and your peace within me to stay calm and to experience victory in Jesus’s name, Amen.
FURTHER READING (NKJV)
MARK 4:35-41
[35]On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.”
[36]Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him.
[37]And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.
[38]But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”
[39]Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.
[40]But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”
[41]And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”