You can give someone a piece of your mind but you can't give them peace of mind. I'm learning though that these two words have more in common than I originally thought. I've had peace of mind over financial situations and yet, at the same time, be worrying myself into a fit over a problem with my children. Soon, I'd lose that peace I had over "money" because I'd tell myself that if the peace didn't cover every area of my life that I must not really have it at all. But peace can come in pieces (or stages). When Joshua was commissioned to take the Promise Land, he fought one enemy at a time. He gained one piece of land at a time. He didn't even attempt to acquire the entire land of Canaan in one big war. He rested in-between cities, refueled, and regained strength. On the other hand, just because we win Jericho, doesn't mean we can stop. If we stop short, the enemies we leave in place will regroup and try to re-inhabit what we've already conquered. I can attest to this with an "amen" and both hands raised. The Christian walk is all about gaining ground (not having all the ground handed to us in one, swift battle). Little by little, piece by piece, peace by peace.
I must be honest, peace of mind is my biggest battle. Stress, worry, and discouragement are the giants in my land. I find it much easier to gain peace over external issues. Health issues, death of loved ones, relationship problems -- these are tough battles but they don't compare to the war that rages in my mind. We are conditioned to think of ourselves as weak and ineffective and even useless if we struggle with fear or depression. The reality is --- if you can fog up a mirror, you have dealt with these very same issues. But as real as these issues are, so is the peace of God. I used to think that real peace was living in a perfect world or atleast living a life free of conflict. Then I clicked my red heels together and said "there's no place like home." Unfortunately, even the Land of Oz had a witch. We will never live without some sort of conflict - whether it be in our Nation or in our house. But we can have peace in the midst of negative circumstances. A few nights ago, I caught the very end of the movie "Titanic" on TV. When I tuned in, the ship was going down and people were running and screaming. Pandemonium everywhere!! EXCEPT for a little room off the lower deck where they showed two small children, snug and warm in their bed. Their mother was leaning over them, talking in a calm, reassuring voice -- telling them of the beauties of Heaven. Peace enveloped that room!!! Turmoil and confusion had control over every square inch of that ship except that room where peace had won the battle. That is my picture of peace. Calm smack-dab in the middle of despair. One room at a time, piece by piece, peace by peace.
God bless you,
Karen
http://www.darylwilliamstrio.net
be listening for our current radio single "His Hand On Me."
Author: AGM
| Author's Website: http://absolutelygospel.com/
Written: 04/01/2008
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Category: Daryl Williams Trio
Comments: 1
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This article that you and your husband writes always seems to know what to hit on .The spiritual link I guess is what I shud attribute this to .Its always a blessing to me to read.This atrue situation in everyones life.Keep up the spiritual work and God Bless.......Billsabode ...Your friend in christ......
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