You Can Have Peace

How prayer reveals the goodness of life and washes away your anxieties.

⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Phil. 4:6-7

I’m a pretty anxious person. I have to work to enjoy a sunrise or a cool breeze blowing on a spring day. (It usually takes 15 minutes before my mind begins to slow down, except this one time when I “did” Thai Chi!)

I’ve noticed that when I should rest, I find a way to work. Even resting on the Sabbath proves to be difficult. However, I have noticed that prayer and meditation makes a difference. I’ve noticed that in the middle of meditation, I become aware of all that I have. I begin to give thanks and start seeing blessings not as burdens, but as gifts. Tasks move from annoyances to opportunities and my relationship with people even improves. I don’t find myself annoyed with their faults but I see them for their possibilities.

A new lens appears when I am not anxious.

Maybe that’s what is missing in my life. Maybe my busyness is actually a search for peace. Maybe that’s what Facebook and Twitter can’t give me.

Maybe access to so much information and “connection” is actually access to so little.

I say I wish I could rest, but am I actually practicing prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving?

It’s a simple equation, but the power of this scripture can transform my life.

Have you received peace?

I pray you have peace that guards your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. I pray you are not anxious. I pray that through prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving, you find yourself connected with a new source of energy that does not seem to end.

I’m a pretty anxious person, but prayer slows me down. Give meditation a try and I’ll keep working on it with you. Place a chair in your yard and listen to the sounds. Allow your mind to slow and begin easing anxiety. Whatever you worried about, give it to Christ.

This book helped me slow down.

Peace.