There is talk everywhere right now about the Ebola virus. The more we hear, the scarier it gets. I could spend many hours reading articles and watching news stories. While it is good to be informed at a basic level, there is danger in spending too much time with this information. Fear can grow like a big, dark, ominous cloud, threatening to choke us if we let it. While there is much in this world that we cannot control, and that fact has not changed in the history of mankind, we can control what we allow to enter our minds, and therefore our hearts.
Proverbs 4:23 says, "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."
It sounds like we have some control over what we allow to shape and influence us.
Paul, in Philippians 4:8 commands us to choose what we think on. He says, "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things…And the God of peace will be with you."
OK, so a simple prescription for peace is found in that verse. Who doesn't want more peace in their life? This passage really challenges me to stop and take stock of whether what I am spending my time on fits the criteria listed. What am I thinking about? Is it excellent or praiseworthy? If not, I would be wise to turn my attention elsewhere.
In 1 Thessalonians 5:16, it says, "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
God, our Father, loves us. He does not desire for us to walk through life stressed and panicked about circumstances we hear about. He knows what is required for us to have peace. The verse from 1 Thessalonians is really a prescription for us from a God who knows where true peace will come from. His will for us is to be close to Him. His will for us is to keep our eyes on Him. He loves us that much that He longs for us to rest in Him.
From a worldly perspective, none of this makes sense. It is so easy to think worse-case scenario. We are created with an imagination that can be a source of great pleasure when used positively. Unfortunately, we can also allow that imagination to take us down the road of "what-ifs". Fear thrives here and the enemy is thrilled that we are taking our eyes off of God. Fortunately, we have a choice. We can cry out to God and ask Him to help us. He loves to answer that prayer. He is waiting for us to cry out to Him. He will give us Himself, His presence, His peace. It is possible in the midst of the chaos and the unknown. His peace is beyond all comprehension, but trust me…it is very real and very available to you and to me.
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27
