INTERNAL AFFAIRS

INTERNAL AFFAIRS

Peace is definitely something that emanates from within.  the external is frequently out of alignment with the eternal.  Nevertheless, you and I have attitudinal choices.  We must not allow ourselves to be irrationally influenced or controlled by outside circumstances.  How could this possibly be?  How can we shape our attitudes during close encounters with trouble or tragedy?  Because you and I are infinitely more capable and more competent than we might appear! 

In the context of time, we merely look like human bodies, subject to an endless array of sensory stimuli: auditory, olfactory, gustatory, tactile and visual.  Admittedly, we are impacted by all of these outside factors, many of which supersede the span of our control.  Nevertheless, we are much more than our frail human bodies suggest.  For beyond our physical anatomies, The Creator has endowed us with exceptional minds and eternal spirits.  This means we can live in total transcendence; despite anything, we can rise.  The fact is, we are nothing less than winner-believers, encompassed and endowed with the peace of God.  Through Him, we embrace inexplicable peace…even in the midst of the storm.

Consider the tale of the ancient king who offered a prize to the artist who would paint the most accurate portrayal of peace.  Many artists submitted their work and the king carefully examined all the pictures.  There were only two he really liked, so he had to choose between them.

One picture was of a calm lake, perfectly mirroring the peaceful, towering mountains all around it.  Overhead was a bright blue sky with fluffy white clouds.  It was the favorite of all who saw it.  Truly, they concluded, it was the perfect picture of peace.

The other picture had mountains also, but they were rugged and bare.  Above was an angry sky from which rain poured down and lightening danced about menacingly.  Down the side of the mountain roared a foaming and powerful waterfall.  It would be difficult to imagine a less peaceful picture!  But when the king looked more closely, he saw beside the waterfall a tiny bush growing out of a crack in the rock.  Inside the bush, a mother bird had built her family nest.  There, in the midst of that angry rush of water, sat a contented mother bird, warming and protecting her young…in perfect peace. 

Which picture would you have selected?  The king chose the second picture.  When asked “why,” the king replied,  “Because peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, no trouble, or no issues.  Peace means to be in the midst of all these things and still be calm in your heart.  That is the true meaning of peace.”

Jesus Christ bequeathed peace as a legacy to all believers: “Peace I leave with you,” he declared, “my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)  Yet, many Christians experience perpetual anxiety, shrouded under tormenting fear.  This need not be.

Please prayerfully consider the following scriptural solution:

1. God is love. (I John 4:8)

2. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment.  He that feareth is not made perfect in love. (I John 4:18)

3. Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. (Isaiah 26:3)

4. Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

5. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:4-6)

6. Men ought always to pray, and not to faint. (Luke 18:1)

The logic of The Word is clear and simple.  The first requirement for personal peace is to fully embrace GOD (who is LOVE), which positions us to expel fear.  However, this is not automatic; there is a process involved.  The second requirement is to constantly meditate on the essence and character of God, via the Word of God.  The third requirement is to seek specific direction from God for every potentially troubling situation.  This is accomplished through the vehicle of prayer.  The fourth requirement is that we must pray from the Word (The Covenant Contract) as we enlist the support of “the mediator” of the covenant. (Hebrews 8:6)

Sisters and brothers, have your internal affairs been set in order, or are you still struggling to maintain composure and sanity whenever you encounter storms?  It is God’s perfect will that we experience the provision and prosperity that resides within His peace.  (III John 1:2)  So “let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” (Colossians 3:15)