Peace of Mind

4-15-2012 by Boyd Bailey

Peace of Mind


I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me. I will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against me on every side. Psalm 3:5-6

Peace of mind comes from our Master, Jesus. He is the master of putting our mind at ease with His eternal perspective. It is trust in Him that gives us tranquil thoughts. Without His peace we worry and fret. A peace-less mind is paralyzed by the thought of everything going awry. What can go wrong will go wrong because the odds are stacked against us. Without the peace of Christ we find ourselves with an overwhelming sense of dread, even despair. However, His peace transcends our tentative trust. It bolsters our belief in God. Our Savior extends a sweet sense of peace. In Christ we have peace of mind like a bee in a hive or a dove in the ark. His helmet of salvation protects our peaceful thoughts.

Jesus is not stingy with His peace. He gives it liberally and lovingly (John 14:27). Beware of the fleeting peace the world offers. It is a very cheap substitute. The world’s peace is circumstantial; His peace transcends circumstances. The world’s peace is temporal; His peace is eternal. The world’s peace leads you to escape from God and reality; His peace leads you to engage with both. The world’s peace produces a limited perspective; His peace results in a robust and real view of life. The world’s peace leaves a residue of guilt and bondage; His peace leaves you forgiven and free. The world’s
peace cannot remove fear; His peace overcomes fear with hope. The world’s peace is based on feelings; His peace is grounded in faith. Therefore, the man or woman of wisdom receives His peace.

Once you apply the peace of Christ, you have peace of mind. Peace of mind gives you a platform for living purposively. Because you live purposively and peacefully you garner influence with others. People are attracted to the peaceful. They want to learn how to find and apply peace to their life circumstances. Your friends or family may not acknowledge it, but your peace is proof of God’s existence. Peace is a powerful apologetic for the Almighty. Only Christ can explain your calm during a crisis. Because you lean on Him, others want to lean on you. You are a lean-to for your Lord. So use prayerfully this platform of peace for ministry. People will line up for peace of mind.

Lastly, use your peace of mind as a gauge for God’s will. If you have peace, proceed. But if you lack peace, heed. God’s peace is a green light to go forward. The absence of His peace is a red light to refrain. Therefore be sensitive to the Spirit’s peaceful prodding to go or stay. Either way, you are OK as long as the Lord’s peace is preeminent. Peace gives you a state of mind that thinks clearly and wisely. Peace positions you for right thinking. Do not impulsively barrel ahead without peace of mind. Emotions can play tricks on our trust and good sense.

Therefore, check your feelings with faith. Slow down and make sure you have a peace about moving forward. Stand up to the pressure of people. They do not have to live with your decision; you do. Peace is God’s protection from unwise choices. His peace is a prescription for success. So slow down and pray. Pray for the peace of God, which transcends all understanding (Philippians 4:7). Peace reveals His will. Peace of mind does not fear, but hopes in Him.