Deep Peace of Christ to You
Our world is anxious, fearful and full of doubt. Congratulations to contemporary media, which has succeeded in distorting their industry from providing information to promoting innuendo, from imparting fact to imposing fear. Media has become a bad news, catastrophe ridden, fear machine.
But fear and anxiety aren’t media-created disorders, these are satan’s tools. With them he keeps people distracted, out of balance and misdirected. The results are sadness, depression, anger, loneliness, fear, doubt, suspicion – even extreme disorders like PTSD are fed by non-stop exposure to bad news crafted to make you afraid and dependent. For many people prescription or illegal drugs seem like a solution, but while they may dull your senses or even manage the disorder, they won’t cure the problem.
Only Jesus can.
He said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” John 14:27.
The peace of Christ, true peace for your mind, will and emotions, and deliverance from the incessant onslaught of doubt sown into our heads by the enemy of mankind, comes from knowing Jesus. Knowing Jesus brings peace.
But not just knowing about Him, that won’t do it. You must know Him through relationship, through prayer and through His promises.
The Apostle Paul wrote: “… do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:6-7.
This is the first step in defeating fear – prayer, communion with Christ, simple, inelegant surrender in quietness and honesty. “Jesus Christ, You are Lord. You are the Son of God. You are in charge, I am not. Deliver me from anxiety, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
Pray often. Pray silently, pray with simplicity of words, develop an ongoing, ceaseless channel of communion in the depths of your heart with Jesus.
First, you will notice that you no longer feel as if you have to have your way or that your opinion is the only valid one. Then, slowly, you will be released from the hold others have over you, to perform, to be something that you are not. To be a pawn or to be influenced by the mob.
Next, stop opening the door to the garbage. Turn off the radio, delete the apps, unplug your cable. Don’t just trade one network for another, get rid of them. The fear of missing out will raise its ugly head here and try and stop you. Don’t fall for it.
In a couple weeks you will be more free than you have been in years. Life will become like that vacation you remember, walking along a mountain stream listening the the water flow across the rocks and the birds singing songs of praise to their Creator and you will know the unexplainable peace of God.
There is a Gaelic Blessing which reads,
Deep peace of the running wave to you.
Deep peace of the flowing air to you.
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you.
Deep peace of the shining stars to you.
Deep peace of the gentle night to you.
Moon and stars pour their healing light on you.
Deep peace of Christ,
of Christ the light of the world to you.
Deep peace of Christ to you
Sincerely,
Ed
