SERVING GOD IN PEACE                        by Carl McMurray

There are any number of ways that we can fulfill our oft offered prayer of “applying God’s word to our daily lives.” One basic way that affects so many other aspects of living in Christ is to learn how to serve God in peace and contentment. It is difficult to make good decisions when one is tired, scared, frustrated, or depressed. In fact, these emotional situations are exactly where we make so many wrong decisions that go on to affect the rest of our lives and those near to us. What can we do to get our attitude in shape then?  How can we learn to serve the Lord in peace?

We can pray. Philippians 4: 6-7 teaches us that by prayer, with thanksgiving, we should  let our requests be made known to God and the promise is there made that the peace of God  would guard our hearts and minds. The Bible really does teach us to turn burdens over to the Lord and have a peaceful heart.

We can stop worrying. Matthew 6:34. Being concerned over serious matters is one thing. Being so caught up in problems that we can’t focus or make progress in other areas of life is something else. Worrying accomplishes NOTHING. And we are assured by the Lord that each day has troubles of it’s own. In other words, this is not Heaven. There are always going to be troubles, so we need to learn how to do right, do what we can, and go on with our lives.

We can quit thinking of ourselves. So many of our depressions, fears, worries, and stresses are brought about because we spend so much time thinking about ourselves and focusing on our own life situations. These are feelings driven situations, having their basis in emotionalism rather than fact, which affect our health, spirituality, and decision making process.  Philippians 2:4-5 teaches us that we should strive to have the mind of Christ and think of others as more important than ourselves. One way to get your mind off your own worries is to look around and serve another. Help someone else in difficulty. Take some food over, mow a yard, fix a gutter. See what volunteer jobs need doing at church. Host a teen bible study. Invite a group of elderly ladies in for brunch. Baby sit for a young couple, paint a house, attend a group meeting and go call on a visitor instead of sending a card. The list goes on and on. Get out of your house, get out of your own life and concern yourself with helping someone else. You’ll be shocked at how much peace it brings.

As we learn balance in our own lives from peace and contentment we will be better able to make godly decisions and grow more to be like Jesus.