How to Pursue God's Peace: Biblical Answers for Fear, Anxiety, and Worry

Flee from youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, together with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:22 BSB   How Do I Pursue Peace? 1. Trust God When You Are Afraid David was a giant killer, a mighty warrior, and a man who spent years being hunted by an unstable king who wanted him dead. Yet when David felt fear, he knew exactly what to do. "But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you." Psalms 56:3 NLT http://bible.com/116/psa.56.3.nlt "I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?" Psalms 56:11 NLT http://bible.com/116/psa.56.11.nlt   "See, God has come to save me. I will trust in him and not be afraid. The LORD GOD is my strength and my song; he has given me victory."" Isaiah 12:2 NLT Notice the connection. David and Isaiah did not deny fear existed. They simply chose to place their trust in God when fear came knocking. Trust is one of God's greatest pathways to peace. 2. Why Should You Trust God? David and Isaiah both knew God personally. They had experienced His faithfulness. They had seen His power. They both wrote prophetically about the coming Messiah, Jesus. Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Because He is Wonderful, He can guide you. Because He is Counselor, He can direct you. Because He is Mighty God, nothing is impossible for Him. Because He is Everlasting Father, He loves you completely. Because He is the Prince of Peace, He can fill your heart with peace even in difficult circumstances.   A Glimpse of God's Greatness One of the ways we see God's greatness is through His creation. In 1990, Voyager 1 was approximately 3.7 billion miles from Earth when astronomer Carl Sagan requested that NASA turn the spacecraft around for one final look toward home. Among the images was one now known as The Pale Blue Dot. Earth appeared as a tiny speck suspended in a beam of sunlight. That tiny speck is home. That tiny speck is us. Carl Sagan later wrote: "Look again at that dot. That's here. That's home. That's us." The photograph became one of the most influential images ever taken because it reminds us how small our planet is in the vastness of space. A few amazing facts: Earth occupies less than one pixel in the image. The photograph was taken farther away than any previous image of Earth. Shortly afterward, Voyager's cameras were turned off permanently. Voyager 1 is still traveling through interstellar space today.   David wrote: "When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place, what is man that You are mindful of him?" Psalm 8:3-4   The Pale Blue Dot reminds us of two incredible truths: We are very small. Yet God knows us, loves us, and cares for each one of us. The God who created galaxies knows your name. That is a reason to trust Him. 3. Jesus Gives Us Peace "I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid. John 14:27BSB Jesus offers a different kind of peace. A peace that does not depend on circumstances. A peace that does not disappear when life becomes difficult. Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid. Colossians 3:15   Jesus Makes Us Whole But He was pierced for our transgressions, (Our rebellion against God)  He was crushed for our iniquities;  (our sins) the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, (peace of heart and mind) and by His stripes we are healed. (body) Isaiah 53:5 BSB Notice that word: Whole. Jesus purchased your wholeness. Spirit. Soul and Body. Because of what Jesus accomplished at the cross, we can have peace with God. We can know our sins have been forgiven and we are made alive unto God. Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, Romans 5:1 BSB   4. God's Divine Order Brings Peace Following Jesus is more than saying a prayer and going on our merry way. God has a divine order for our lives that brings great peace. The Earth does not bounce randomly through the heavens like an irretrievable basketball. It moves at approximately 67,000 miles per hour! Yet we never feel it because everything is moving together in an orderly, predictable way.   God designed Earth's orbit around the sun to provide: 1. Just the Right Amount of Heat Earth sits in what scientists often call the Goldilocks Zone. Too close to the sun and the oceans could evaporate. Too far away and water could freeze permanently. 2. Beautiful Seasons Winter. Spring. Summer. Fall. Each season serves a purpose.   3. A Stable Climate Earth's orbit helps maintain conditions necessary for life.   4. Our Calendar Year One complete orbit takes approximately 365.25 days.   5. A Picture of Divine Order God's creation reveals His wisdom and order. And God's order brings peace.   God's Order for Your Life But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you. Matthew 6:33 BSB   When Jesus becomes the center of your life, everything else begins to find its proper place. Your decisions. Your relationships. Your future. Your goals. Your desires. Your opinions.   Everything revolves around Him. That brings peace. Peace in our hearts. Peace in our minds. Peace in our emotions. God wants peace to reign there.   God's Peace Strategy Philippians 4:6 Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need,  and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live   Want To Be Stronger?   Join me every Saturday for faith-filled encouragement, inspiring articles, and helpful resources delivered right to your inbox. I'd love to connect with you! Or subscribe to this podcast on your favorite Podcast Provider.