Something to Think About

Something to Think About:Let the Peace of God Rule!

Colossians 3:15-17 says, “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”

The Amplified Bible says it like this, “Let the peace of Christ [the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts [deciding and settling questions that arise]. To this peace indeed, you were called as members in one body [of believers]. And be thankful [to God always].

Scripture describes the peace of God or the peace that comes from God as an “inner calm.” Nothing is more comforting than walking with the Lord in a state of inner calm that comes from Him.

Scripture also says that this inner calm should “rule” or be the controlling factor in our hearts. God often uses it to settle questions and guide us in making decisions. When you seek guidance, God often uses His peace to indicate that you are making the correct choice. So, when the peace of God rules, it is because we are resting in what He has to say about our situations and varying circumstances.

Fear has to take a back seat. Worry has to cease. Depression has to fade away. Frustration disappears. Hopelessness no longer exists. Embarrassment has to run and hide. Stress loosens its hold. Disappointment is “dis” appointed. Grief is grieved. Overwhelming becomes underwhelming. And inadequacy becomes more than enough when the peace of God is ruling in your heart.

When the peace of God is ruling in your heart, you are ok with things being imperfect because you know God is at work. You know He can do anything but fail. You know things won’t always be like they are. You have faith in the word of God concerning your situation and navigate life expecting greater things to come.

When the peace of God rules in your heart, you aren’t governed by your circumstances. Many of us are on cloud nine when things are favorable in our lives but mean and hateful to others when we have a bad day. However, when the peace of God rules, we live life with a greater balance and consistency. We have a treasure inside us that governs and rules our hearts and not our ever-changing circumstances.

Psalms 29:11 says, “The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace.”

Leviticus 26:6a says, “And I will give peace in the land, and ye shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid…”

Numbers 6:26 says, “The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.”

Psalms 5:12 says, “For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favor wilt thou compass (surround) him as with a shield.”

Isaiah 9:6 says, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

Ephesians 2:14a says, “For He Himself is our peace…”

When we let the peace of God rule our hearts, we let the word of God dwell in us richly (have a home within us). And allowing it to “permeate every aspect of your being.”

There is a lady named Mrs. Janet who has served God faithfully for the past 50 years. When she was much younger, she used to get bent out of shape when things didn’t go as planned in her marriage, over her children’s silly decisions, and the way others treated her. She lost tons of sleep over those things for years, until she read scripture that the peace of God should RULE in her heart.

She realized that her heart was ruled by unforgiveness, resentment, jealousy, anger, frustration, worry, grief, fear, and other negative feelings. She had no peace. Though she was a Christian, she was not walking in the Lord’s peace. So, she sought the Lord to help her change that.

Over the years, the Lord helped Mrs. Janet realize she had no need to fuss over things as she once did. Things that people did to get under her skin no longer bothered her. She found more confidence in God’s providence when things were slim and even walked in peace when she fought a long battle with cancer.

Mrs. Janet let the peace of God rule in her heart by meditating on God’s word. As a result, she became more grateful and walked in joy. She was often found having a song of the Lord in her heart. Her favorite scripture was Psalms 34.

Psalms 34:1-19 says, “I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.

3 O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together. 4 I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. 5 They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. 6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. 8 O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. 9 O fear the Lord, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him. 10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.

11 Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord. 12 What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? 13 Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. 14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

15 The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. 16 The face of the Lord is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. 17 The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. 18 The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.”

Like Mrs. Janet, we too can seek peace and pursue it, and God will give us His peace to rule in our hearts, no matter what we are faced with today.

Just something to think about!