Finding Peace Of Mind

HoHum:

Casting Crowns- If We’ve Ever Needed You

Hear our cry, Lord we pray, Our faces down, our hands are raised, You called us out, we turned away, we’ve turned away. With ship wrecked faith, idols rise, we do what is right, in our own eyes, our children now will pay the price, we need your light, Lord, shine your light.

Chorus: If we’ve ever needed you, Lord, it’s now, Lord, it’s now, We are desperate for your hand, we’re reaching out, we’re reaching out.

Uncertainty- the impeachment of the President, then we get more personal to divorce, cancer, aging parents, the Middle East, a guilty conscience, an IRS audit, rebellious children, car trouble, need new roof for the house, unexpected expenses, changes at church. If there ever was a time when we need the peace of God that passes understanding, it is now.

WBTU:

Paul began this section with “I had no peace of mind.” That’s surprising because we think of inner peace as a result of being a Christian- peace with God and then peace with others. Even so, Paul admitted that during this period, he did not have peace. Read 2 Cor. 2:12-13. Paul had expected his co worker Titus to bring news about the Corinthians church. Paul had sent a stern letter to them, and now he wondered what their reaction would be.

However, Paul anxiety was temporary. He quickly recovered his peace of mind because of his faith in God. Christians experience pressure and anxiety like everybody else, but our faith in Christ should help us to handle that stress and live lives that are marked with peace.

Thesis: How to have peace of mind

For instances:

A Grateful Heart

After he talked about his stress, Paul changed the pace of his thoughts, and his key word is thanks: 2 Corinthians 2:14. Reminded of his words to the Philippians-“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6, 7, NIV. When we complain about our problems, we increase our anxiety. When we praise God for his goodness, we increase our peace. “When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed, when you are discouraged, thinking all is lost, count your many blessings- name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.”

Most of us aren’t good at that. Many are constant complainers. No group of people have ever had it better, yet we gripe continuously. We think it’s a mark of sophistication to be critical or complaining, but it really is an indication of spiritual immaturity. We think it’s harmless, but in reality it destroys our peace and arouses the wrath of God.“Now the people complained about their hardships in the hearing of the LORD, and when he heard them his anger was aroused.” Numbers 11:1, NIV.

Some children decided to play a trick on Grandpa. When he was asleep, they sprayed his mustache with bug spray. When he woke up, he sniffed and said, “Something stinks in this room.” He went into the kitchen and said, “The kitchen stinks.” He went outside and said, “The whole world stinks!” It wasn’t the world- Grandpa need to clean up under his nose. There’s something wrong with us that we complain that the whole world stinks.

2 elderly women went to an orchestra concert. On the way home, one asked the other, “How did you like it?” The other woman said, “The way that first violinist blew his nose after the first selection just ruined the entire evening for me.” Some people miss the entire concert of life and focus in on the blowing of a nose.

Philippians 2:14- do everything without complaining. As soon as we catch ourselves griping, stop it. Don’t excuse ourselves and say, “That’s just my nature. I don’t mean anything by it. It’s just harmless.” It’s not harmless, it is spoiling our peace of mind. Start praising! find scores of things to thank God for. Make a little rule: “Every time I catch myself complaining, I’m going to say, out loud, 5 things for which I’m grateful.” Peace of God will take place.

A Sense of Significance

2 Corinthians 2:14-16: God always leads us- We need to have the feeling that our lives count for something. Victor Frankl wrote, “There’s nothing in the world which helps a person surmount difficulties, survive disappointments, keep healthy and happy, as the knowledge of a life task worthy of his dedication.” People do not fail because they lack talent, people fail because they lack a sense of purpose, meaning and significance. Newly retired people sometimes discover that their retirement doesn’t bring peace, but turmoil, because they no longer have a sense of importance.