Disturbing the Peace

If there are sources in our lives that are not supporting our peace but rather sowing agitation, we just might want to consider silencing their voice and influence. Our Lord is the Prince of peace, yet the ruler of this world is the perpetuator of chaos. When we have distress rather than peace, we are suckling from the wrong source. We were never intended to dwell outside of Peace. Peace is a Person and He’s the source of Life and the absence of darkness. Peace is balancing and healthy; our souls thrive and survive in Peace not discord.

For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.
1 Corinthians 14:33

Satan’s Shock Collar on Us

Recently I turned off my endless drone of news. Why? Because the media was one of those sources of distress for me. It continually stirred up this stress that I am speaking of. And I don’t think a normal reporting of the simple facts would have been as distressing (even though our circumstances are grim). It’s the media’s ambition to control and instill fear which has set me on edge. I had to shut it down to gain myself back.

After doing all this, I heard a confirmation of my course of action. It was through hearing a snippet of a pastor’s message that essentially said we were never intended to have an attached ticker tape constantly feeding us thoughts and news. He called it the devil’s shock collar on us. Yes, these amazing things called smartphones and smart devices can be an open door for the enemy’s voice. Personally, I had to shut off the notifications from all the news apps in order to gain back my peace, stillness, and wellbeing.

Since making this decision, I actually haven’t even opened up the news apps on my phone and have limited my reading of my Facebook feed. Again, I saw that having these many voices speaking at me, I was losing myself. My peace was withering away as I was drowning in drama.

Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
Romans 14:19

Disturbing My Peace

I don’t want to harp on the failings of the media, but suffice it to say they propagate, support, and perpetuate discord, disruption, and dis-ease. Their manipulation attempts to motivate me through fear by keeping me focused on their narrative. As a response I have purposed to silence any source that has the negative fruit of robbing my Peace.

Peace and the Blind Pollyanna

I’m not saying I need a Pollyanna worldview or want to be blind to the world around me. But as a sheep of His pasture, I am to live in peace not anxiety. Anxiety only garners my fear rather than faith. In this scenario my fear becomes my faith. Yet I am not to live in fear of circumstances and situations—our God rules them. My faith is to rest in the Person of Christ, and it is His voice that is to lead my life and thoughts.

His influence in me never will arise from the ashes of my fear-based mess. It’s only Christ’s Life that influences others around me. The most faithful thing I can do to affect my world is remaining IN Christ.

As you might have heard on the Shulamite Podcasts or in Message of the Month, lately we have had some circumstantial bumpy roads around here. Not that it’s only in crisis-time that we must maintain peace in our lives; but it does work out that it’s especially true in crisis that we need Him who is Peace. Peace is to be our lifestyle, and sometimes crisis is a much-needed reminder of this. I praise God for all the current circumstances, because they have spotlighted my desperate need for Peace. Stress, fear and drama can make us ill and rob us of joy; where Christ’s Life and Peace on the other hand is wholeness and wellbeing.

The Promise of Peace

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Colossians 3:15

The LORD gives strength to His people; the LORD blesses His people with peace.
Psalm 29:11

I will listen to what God the LORD says; He promises peace to His people, His faithful servants— but let them not turn to folly.
Psalm 85:8

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You.
Isaiah 26:3

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 14:27

Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.
2 Thessalonians 3;16

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