Access Peace, Overcome Anxiety

What if in ten minutes you could experience less anxiety and more peace today?

Waking up to the still silence of a soft snow, our home was filled with peace this morning. But then the kids wake up. The TV turns on. Some crazy cartoon starts to blare. The count down to e-learning begins. There’s breakfast to make. Teeth to brush. Errands to run. Work to do. And it seems like peace is gone quicker than my chances to take a shower. 

And as I talk to others, in addition to the normal busyness of life, anxiety and anger are taking up residence in our souls, flashing a “no-vacancy” sign when peace tries to enter in. 

Yet this week as we anticipate the coming of Christ, we light the candle of peace. Jesus is the Prince of Peace (Is 9:6) and his angelic birth announcement in Luke 2 even proclaimed, “Glory to God in the Highest heaven and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests!” So no matter where we find ourselves, more peace is possible for each one of us, even you. 

“Don’t not be anxious for anything but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). 

The original languages uses the word “eirene” for peace. And this peace isn’t just describing moments of stillness or solitude. It is talking about a kind of peace that fears nothing because our souls are settled in our salvation and our circumstances cannot shake it. 

A settled soul. 

Is that something you long for? If so, the first half of the passage tells us how to experience it. 

By earnestly talking to God (aka prayer). 

Have you ever gotten off the phone and thought, “Man I talked too much! I didn’t even ask how they were doing!”

Well, I personally know nothing about that (hhhmm…my nose might be growing like Pinnochio) but that is what we can forget with God. We can forget that talking to God can and should be a conversation. We can forget to listen.  

Our invitation is to create more room for peace, by pausing and praying. To earnestly lay our worries at the feet of Jesus and then listen. We wait for a word, not an audbile voice, but for an impression on our heart or something to come to mind. And we in anticipate the peace of God flooding our souls and pushing out any anxiety.

What might God say as you wait and listen? Might it be a word of hope or encouragement? A word of direction or care? Might it be a word that reminds you whose you are and how he sees you? Or who holds the whole world in his hands?

I am hoping and praying it is a word that triggers the release of all your anxiety so your heart has room to behold the Prince of Peace, his Word. 

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:14

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

Isaiah 9:6

If you have some time to sit with Jesus, grab a pen and some paper to journal and use this song as a back drop to invite him to speak to you…