The Promise, Provision, and Prescription for Peace

The way to find peace in the midst of crisis, concern, and chaos is one of the areas where Christians should be thinking differently than the world and our carnal mind would prescribe. Consequently, we are living in a window of time which offers a great opportunity for the renewing of our minds (and the transformation that will create).

With that in mind (no pun intended), I would like to share the promise, provision and way of peace for every child of God. It starts with the prophecy of His coming.

But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5

This much quoted verse contains something I had not noticed until recently. Not only was the Messiah to be wounded, bruised and scourged, but he was also promised as the chastisement for our peace. He took on the Father’s correction, reproof, and rebuke) that we might have peace with Him.

The LORD God is faithful and trustworthy. He is almighty – able to do all that He says. He keeps His promises. That includes the provision of His peace.

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1-2

For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. Colossians 1:19-20

It is important to note that the eternal peace we have with God is the provision for our peace in the storms of this life. Maintaining this connection in your heart and mind will bring revelation and power to the peace of God, in the midst of our current tempest.

The Enemy that Lies Within is Speaking Over You

Neuroscientists have concluded that 80+ percent of our thinking occurs subconsciously. In other words, a lot of our thinking happens off the radar, below the surface of our attention and consideration. Think about that in light of Paul’s assertion that the normal Christian brings every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2Corinthians 10:5).

Of course, we are not sufficient for such things; our sufficiency is from God (2Corinthians 3:5). Lest we forget and become discouraged: we can do all things through Christ (Philippians 4:13). God has not commanded anything that He does not empower. He is working in us to will and do for His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13). We need only participate in the Holy Spirit’s transformative work (Romans 12:2; 2Corinthians 3:18)

Unfortunately, our subconscious is the playground and base of operations for our carnal mind. From there, it attempts to distract and deceive for its self-focused intentions. It does so by affirming the voices of Satan and the world, and by adding its own words of deception and destruction. Yes, the carnal mind speaks to us… continuously.

Now get this: We are responsible for rejecting what the carnal mind is attempting to speak over us. Here is an example to illustrate the sinister and destructive consequences awaiting those who shirk this solemn responsibility.

Workplace Ministry Tip #42 – Dealing with Anxiety

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2Timothy 1:7

Professional golfers get nervous standing over a 3-foot putt to win the tournament. They’ve managed to control their nerves, however, because they’ve practiced the shot thousands of times. They rely on muscle memory to help them manage their nerves. This works for a time, but dependence on the flesh eventually fails us.

It’s the same with public speaking. The more you speak, the more comfortable you’ll be. If you only give one presentation every six months, of course you’ll be nervous. It feels unnatural because you don’t do it that often. The world’s solution: Speak often. However, practice does not make us perfect.

Similarly, you may have heard some form of: “You’re only as successful as your ideas. Landing a dream job, persuading investors, inspiring employees, and attracting customers require the effective transmission of those ideas. Don’t let your nerves get in the way of achieving your full potential.”

This sounds great, but it is not the truth for Christians in the Workplace. There is something far more important for our success than our ideas, controlling our nerves, or practicing until we are comfortable.