PEACE IS RAINBOWS AND WATERFALLS-NOT

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Peace on earth and goodwill to all men, is a common phrase spoken, during this time of the year. What is true peace? Peace is not floating around on a cloud with soft music playing in the background, while thinking about rainbows and waterfalls. Peace is more than throwing up your fore and middle finger. Peace is not a get-out-of trouble card, meaning no trials or afflictions will ever come your way, if you have peace. And, it is definitely not what is said during the month of December.

The world’s peace is derived from the surroundings around you. It is sold and purchased, at a cost. Prearranged funerals; fire, theft and disaster insurance policies; security alarms for home and car; 401ks for retirements; hefty savings accounts and other elements are advertised to offer peace of mind. If so, why are there so many people who purchased and have all of the above and more, but peace remains from them?

The dictionary definition of peace is a state of tranquility or quietness. Or, a state in which there is no war or fight. True peace is a mindset; a particular way of thinking. Peace dwells in the inner core of your body, in your heart. Peace is not purchased, through worldly means, it is a cherished gift of God.

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.  John 14:27 New King James Version (NKJV).

Many people are shaking their heads, sucking their tongues and rolling their eyes, asking, If peace is a gift, why don’t I feel it? Where is peace for me?

I am going to pose these questions. Do you have the state of tranquility, in your heart, and a friendly attitude toward others, no matter what is going on in your life? How can you offer peace to others, when you lack it within yourself? Or, do you go out of your way to attempt to give peace to others and you have no idea how to get it for yourself? Do you know how to pursue peace and keep it?

Beware of the obstacles of peace. You might say you want peace, but, in reality you do not want to do what it takes to receive it and keep it. Here are only a few reasons:

• Stubbornness. You refuse to believe anything beyond your previous teachings, beliefs or traditions.
• Drama. You love to be involved in drama and gossip. You need to have a hand and voice in everyone’s problems. Giving your opinions and attempting to run everyone’s lives. When you are involved in many people’s lives, you will never have peace because there will always be a war to fight.
• Negativity. You have too many negative thoughts in your mind. It is difficult to think of anything positive, like peace.   
• You have unresolved issues in your heart. If destructive emotions dwell in your heart, there is no room for peace. For example, if anger resides, in your heart, any opportunity emerges, you are ready for war. War is the opposite of peace.
• You have no control. Lack of control causes you to take control over any given event. A wife with a dominant husband and unruly children, may wage war at work to rob everyone of their peace. Or, a man who has an overbearing and unruly manager, with no control at work, arriving home, he wages war with his wife and children.

How to start your paths to peace:

• Believe: The first step in the pathway to peace, you must believe that God promised this gift to you. If you think peace is unobtainable and it is an illusion. You have lost the battle and peace will remain far from you.

The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace. Psalm 29:11 (KJV).

• Trust: Peace is a constant state of mind, trusting in God. People will put total trust in themselves, friends, family, money, power and all other sources. But, all those whos and whats you put trust in, are fallible. God is infallible.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.  Proverbs 3:5-6 New King James Version (NKJV)

• Remember peace is already given to you. Recognize your gift.

The Lord will give strength to His people. The Lord will bless His people with peace. Psalm 29:11 New King James Version (NKJV)

• Ask for peace. If you are not sure about peace. Ask God in prayer how to activate peace in your heart.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6 New King James Version (NKJV)

• The wrong focus. Make peace with God, not your issues. Sometimes you are too focused on your problems and not the promise of peace. Keep your mind on God, not the distractions of the world.

 Or let him take hold of My strength, That he may make peace with Me;
And he shall make peace with Me.” Isaiah 27:5 (NKJV)

You must fight to keep your peace. Peace can flee from you in a heartbeat. Peace is a valuable treasure, you must protect it. If you received an expensive diamond watch. You’d take all kinds of precautions to protect the watch, because you do not want anyone to steal it. You would not allow someone to casually walk up to you, remove the watch and stroll away, without you crying for help, fighting for it, or taking all types of means to get your possession back. The same goes for peace.

The examples above only scratch the surface of perceiving peace, receiving peace and keeping peace. In the next few posts, elements and emotions are addressed that robs you of your peace.    t 6;\ls

Peace on earth and goodwill to all men, is a common phrase spoken, during this time of the year. What is true peace? Peace is not floating around on a cloud with soft music playing in the background, while thinking about rainbows and waterfalls. Peace is more than throwing up your fore and middle finger. Peace is not a get-out-of trouble card, meaning no trials or afflictions will ever come your way, if you have peace. And, it is definitely not what is said during the month of December.

The world’s peace is derived from the surroundings around you. It is sold and purchased, at a cost. Prearranged funerals; fire, theft and disaster insurance policies; security alarms for home and car; 401ks for retirements; hefty savings accounts and other elements are advertised to offer peace of mind. If so, why are there so many people who purchased and have all of the above and more, but peace remains from them?

The dictionary definition of peace is a state of tranquility or quietness. Or, a state in which there is no war or fight. True peace is a mindset; a particular way of thinking. Peace dwells in the inner core of your body, in your heart. Peace is not purchased, through worldly means, it is a cherished gift of God.

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.  John 14:27 New King James Version (NKJV)

Many people are shaking their heads, sucking their tongues and rolling their eyes, asking, If peace is a gift, why don’t I feel it? Where is peace for me?

I am going to pose these questions. Do you have the state of tranquility, in your heart, and a friendly attitude toward others, no matter what is going on in your life? How can you offer peace to others, when you lack it within yourself? Or, do you go out of your way to attempt to give peace to others and you have no idea how to get it for yourself? Do you know how to pursue peace and keep it?

Beware of the obstacles of peace. You might say you want peace, but, in reality you do not want to do what it takes to receive it and keep it. Here are only a few reasons:

• Stubbornness. You refuse to believe anything beyond your previous teachings, beliefs or traditions.
• Drama. You love to be involved in drama and gossip. You need to have a hand and voice in everyone’s problems. Giving your opinions and attempting to run everyone’s lives. When you are involved in many people’s lives, you will never have peace because there will always be a war to fight.
• Negativity. You have too many negative thoughts in your mind. It is difficult to think of anything positive, like peace.   
• You have unresolved issues in your heart. If destructive emotions dwell in your heart, there is no room for peace. For example, if anger resides, in your heart, any opportunity emerges, you are ready for war. War is the opposite of peace.
• You have no control. Lack of control causes you to take control over any given event. A wife with a dominant husband and unruly children, may wage war at work to rob everyone of their peace. Or, a man who has an overbearing and unruly manager, with no control at work, arriving home, he wages war with his wife and children.

How to start your paths to peace:

• Believe: The first step in the pathway to peace, you must believe that God promised this gift to you. If you think peace is unobtainable and it is an illusion. You have lost the battle and peace will remain far from you.

The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace. Psalm 29:11 (KJV).

• Trust: Peace is a constant state of mind, trusting in God. People will put total trust in themselves, friends, family, money, power and all other sources. But, all those whos and whats you put trust in, are fallible. God is infallible.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your ownunderstanding;⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.  Proverbs 3:5-6 New King James Version (NKJV)

• Remember peace is already given to you. Recognize your gift.

The Lord will give strength to His people. The Lord will bless His people with peace. Psalm 29:11 New King James Version (NKJV)

• Ask for peace. If you are not sure about peace. Ask God in prayer how to activate peace in your heart.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6 New King James Version (NKJV)

• The wrong focus. Make peace with God, not your issues. Sometimes you are too focused on your problems and not the promise of peace. Keep your mind on God, not the distractions of the world.

Or let him take hold of My strength, That he may make peace with Me; And he shall make peace with Me. Isaiah 27:5 (NKJV)

You must fight to keep your peace. Peace can flee from you in a heartbeat. Peace is a valuable treasure, you must protect it. If you received an expensive diamond watch. You’d take all kinds of precautions to protect the watch, because you do not want anyone to steal it. You would not allow someone to casually walk up to you, remove the watch and stroll away, without you crying for help, fighting for it, or taking all types of means to get your possession back. The same goes for peace.

The examples above only scratch the surface of perceiving peace, receiving peace and keeping peace. In the next few posts, elements and emotions are addressed that robs you of your peace.