God hasn’t taken His hand of blessing off this nation, but it can sure feel like it some days.
Every time we turn on the TV, open our web browser or scan through Facebook, we are confronted with yet, another disaster. Thanks to today’s technology, we have hourly exposure to mass shootings, crime, ungodly laws being put in place and rumors of war. In this constant barrage of negative news, it is challenging to remain in peace. Challenging, but not impossible.
While thinking on this, I remembered a statement I heard recently. It was this: “If you protect your peace, your peace will protect you.”
I pondered this statement for a few days. While I knew in my heart it was true, I went in search of a Scripture to confirm it. I did not have to look very far.
Philippians 4:7 says, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will protect your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
I found some interesting things as I studied the word “keep.”
Strong’s Concordance says this word means “to be a watcher in advance, to mount guard as a sentinel (post spies at gates); to hem in, protect, keep (with a garrison).”
It further means “to guard, protect by a military guard, either to prevent hostile invasion or to keep the inhabitants of a besieged city from flight.”
While I have known peace is an aggressive weapon for years, today I discovered it is also a guard and a protector.
However, before that peace can be your guard and protector, it must first be cultivated in our life—in our heart and mind.
Peace is not something I sense in most people, even Christians. I believe this would be different if we realized the true power of peace, His peace.
Jesus said in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
Do you see what He is saying? He gave us His peace. The same peace that carried and protected Him through crowds who wished to stone Him. The same peace that carried Him through the cross. The same peace that carried Him and garrisoned about Him through hell. The same peace that led Him out to rise again. That peace is the peace He has given you and me. A peace that rules and reigns, if we will allow it to. A peace that protects and guards.
So, how do we cultivate this peace in our life? The answer is found in Isaiah 26:3: “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”
We can’t keep our mind on the problem, or on the news and walk in peace. We must keep our mind on God, His Word and His promises. Then and only then will we walk in peace.
Once we have peace, we must protect it. We can’t allow things or people to come in and steal it. And trust me, the enemy will do everything in his power to steal your peace. However, he can’t touch it if you don’t allow him too. Jesus gave it to you; it is yours. Yours to keep or yours to let slip away.
As you cultivate and protect peace in your life, that same peace will protect you.
While we may not be able to change the facts that invade our daily lives, we can change our reaction to them. We can change how they affect us and our family. We can also change the atmosphere that surrounds us. We do that by cultivating and protecting the peace Jesus gave us.
Just as Scripture says, peace will watch out for you and warn you in advance. It will garrison about you and protect you. It will help you to stand your ground when things try to invade your atmosphere.
How do we walk this out in our daily lives? When we choose to keep our minds firmly upon God and His Word. When we don’t lend our ears or our eyes to the negativity of the media. Instead, we choose to think on God and think on His Word. As we do that, we will stay firmly planted in His plan and in His peace. {eoa}
Kim Potter is the founder of A New Thing Ministries, which sends a daily teaching to over 10,000 people all around the world. Her articles have appeared on The Elijah List, Charisma, Spirit Fuel and iBelieve.com. Her message is one of hope. She speaks to the heart of those who have grown discouraged and disappointed by the circumstances of life and imparts the desire and ability to stand against all odds and see victory. For additional information, go to anewthingministries.com.
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