We were having “one of those days” and I noticed I wasn't being exactly nice to the people around me. So I said “I need to get a peaceful heart. What should I do...?”
I googled “How to get a peaceful heart...” and it sent me to Phillippians 4. And the Bible says...
Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and mind in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Phillippians, 4: 4-8
Let's break it down:
#1 – REJOICE! Think about it. We don't have to wait to be happy. Other people don't need to make us happy or do anything. Joy is a decision! Maybe we need a lot of practice, but imagine what can happen when we get really good at it! Choose to be happy. It leads to peace.
#2 – BE A KIND PERSON! Do it in public, not to be a show-off, but be kind so deliberately and so constantly that you can't hide it. Let your kindness spill out and overflow and fill up your life everywhere you go so that even if you wanted to, you couldn't hide it from the world. Let everybody see your kindness and don't even worry about what they think.
#3 – REMEMBER HOW CLOSE GOD IS TO YOU. As Jesus says, “The Kingdom of God is close at hand. Yes, in your very hearts!” Well, where the kingdom is, there is the King, right? And when we pray “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done...” Where will it begin if not right here in our own hearts...?
#4 – HAVE NO ANXIETY (worries) at all. We are not slaves to fear or dread, so why entertain their minions? Kick them out. Say, “Nope! No way! You are not allowed...!” You can use the room in your mind and heart to think about better things, like solutions!
#5 – In everything, by prayer, petition and thanksgiving, TELL GOD WHAT YOU WANT. Jesus says, “The reason you don't get what you want is because you don't ask...” Telling God what we want affirms our relationship, grows our confidence, and guides our hearts to righteousness.
Do these things and the peace of God will fill and guard our hearts. So that when we are having “one of those days” instead of being the cause, we might be the solution!
Oh! And here's one more tip: GUARD YOUR THOUGHTS. (Use prayer; it really helps.) When we worry and grow anxious, when we dwell on hurts and failures, how can we live and move in peace? But when we replace our worries with positive thinking—as old-fashioned as it sounds—there is no room for worry, or for acting badly. Jesus says “Fear is useless! What is needed is trust!” We can consciously choose and follow the Gospel way of living.
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