Guard Your Peace

Have you ever clicked a new tab at the top of your internet window only to see a circle spin endlessly? I encountered this experience over and over again last Thursday as I sat staring at my computer screen. No matter what task I tried to get done on the internet, the screen kept crashing. By the end of the day, I was irritated and full of complaints.

For the next few days, I could not put my finger on why I felt unsettled until this morning. I realized I had slipped back into old reactions even though I have worked with Jesus to reprogram my mind and emotions over the last fifty plus years. I let my frustration and the circumstance pierce the core of peace and trust I had established with Jesus in my inner-most heart to lead and guide me. Instead of stepping back and asking Jesus what to do first, I kept trying to make things happen in my imperfect knowledge and strength.

My reaction confirms that you can never let your guard down on the tools the enemy has used to steal God’s peace from you in the past. Just when you think you have your mind and feelings under control, you may realize like me, through an everyday event or challenge that you have placed too much confidence in yourself first.

It took me years to ask Jesus what to do when I came across a mental, emotional, or life road block. In this broken world not everything that goes wrong is the devils doing. However, the devil can see your frustration so do not open the door of your mind and heart and allow him to use it against you. Instead, train your mind to look at roadblocks as a time for you to take a breath and a break. Ask Jesus if he was slowing you down so you would not make a mistake. Ask for his wisdom to see things His way. Ask him if you need to walk away for a while and what to do next.

When you are in an intimate, progressive personal relationship with Jesus, you begin to understand how vital it is to move together as if you were dancing together. When you let him lead you in every aspect of your life, it does not matter if you cannot see what’s coming or even where you are going. When you operate in trusting and moving with Jesus, you will not easily become frustrated, grumpy, and short when things do not go the way you expected. By keeping your feelings and mind focused on Jesus, you will not take out your angst on yourself or others. You can walk in the peace of Jesus and be empowered to remain calm, be encouraging, and roll with the day as it unfolds.

Always be on the alert for your enemy to invade your feelings, mind, and attitude. When you first feel frustrated, stop and ask Jesus what to do. Do not let yourself get upset, anxious, or angry at the situation. Show your enemy that you are a beloved empowered child of God and that you are determined to keep him from stealing your peace.

How does the enemy attack your peace and how has Jesus taught you to trust him?