We use that term a lot when someone has died; we are saying good-bye and wishing them now to be in peace. What if we could rest in peace while we are still alive. Imagine the freedom that gives.
Peace is something that I hear a lot of people these days striving towards. I know I am. This can be a pretty chaotic world at times. A lot of it, we bring on ourselves by taking on too much. And for some of us, it is the job we are in, or the situation we are in, or the things we don't have. For me, the job is chaotic. My day job is banking. It is extremely busy, has a great many demands, and can be very trying at the best of times. I've been in it for many years and it just isn't as much fun anymore. There are so many things and people to be responsible for, so many more things to go sideways, companies seemingly want their staff to do more with less, and the hours are horrendous. People think bankers' hours are pretty much Monday to Friday, 9 - 5. Not so much. They are not unlike a lot of big corporations, I imagine. Not only can this be stressful while you're at work, but sometimes we tend to take it home with us. So we really never get away from that anxiety that lies in the pit of our stomachs. And I don't even want to get into the diseases that can lead to. That's a whole other topic.
Trying to find ways to create that peace in our lives is challenging and difficult. When I got to the point when I would come home at night and sit on my couch and cry and then cry as I was trying to get myself motivated to go in the morning, and I would hold myself back from crying at the smallest little incident at work, or I would wake up in the middle of the night, wondering if I forgot to do something, I knew I needed help.
Jesus promised us peace. He gave us that gift. After all, He is the Prince of Peace. So why wouldn't we accept that gift? And how do we get that sense of peace? At Christmas time, we often read on cards, or bill boards, or even peoples' front yards, the words "Peace on Earth". What if the way to that is if everyone could experience peace in their hearts.
In the Bible, Philippians 4:4-7 reads:
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again, rejoice. Let your gentleness be evident to all. 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."
Do not be anxious about anything! Easier said than done, I know. When I spend time reading the Bible, and reading where Jesus promises that peace, I have a greater understanding of what He actually meant. I now get up 30 - 45 mins before I need to every morning before I go to work. I spend that time reading the Bible and praying to God for the gift of the Holy Spirit to guide me and give me the strength I need to get through the day. I ask Him to help me focus on everything I need to accomplish. With more and more "practice", I am finding that when I am focused on each task, or interaction with a customer or employee, and I put in my best effort and stay present in it, I am less stressed when I get home. When I know that I have done everything to the best of my ability, when I have remained present and know that I have done it correctly, I can have that peace not only when I get home, but all day long. And when I get home and allow myself that time to get into the Bible again and be so grateful for His help and all the things we went through together that day. I can rest in peace!
Peace is something that I hear a lot of people these days striving towards. I know I am. This can be a pretty chaotic world at times. A lot of it, we bring on ourselves by taking on too much. And for some of us, it is the job we are in, or the situation we are in, or the things we don't have. For me, the job is chaotic. My day job is banking. It is extremely busy, has a great many demands, and can be very trying at the best of times. I've been in it for many years and it just isn't as much fun anymore. There are so many things and people to be responsible for, so many more things to go sideways, companies seemingly want their staff to do more with less, and the hours are horrendous. People think bankers' hours are pretty much Monday to Friday, 9 - 5. Not so much. They are not unlike a lot of big corporations, I imagine. Not only can this be stressful while you're at work, but sometimes we tend to take it home with us. So we really never get away from that anxiety that lies in the pit of our stomachs. And I don't even want to get into the diseases that can lead to. That's a whole other topic.
Trying to find ways to create that peace in our lives is challenging and difficult. When I got to the point when I would come home at night and sit on my couch and cry and then cry as I was trying to get myself motivated to go in the morning, and I would hold myself back from crying at the smallest little incident at work, or I would wake up in the middle of the night, wondering if I forgot to do something, I knew I needed help.
Jesus promised us peace. He gave us that gift. After all, He is the Prince of Peace. So why wouldn't we accept that gift? And how do we get that sense of peace? At Christmas time, we often read on cards, or bill boards, or even peoples' front yards, the words "Peace on Earth". What if the way to that is if everyone could experience peace in their hearts.
In the Bible, Philippians 4:4-7 reads:
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again, rejoice. Let your gentleness be evident to all. 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."
Do not be anxious about anything! Easier said than done, I know. When I spend time reading the Bible, and reading where Jesus promises that peace, I have a greater understanding of what He actually meant. I now get up 30 - 45 mins before I need to every morning before I go to work. I spend that time reading the Bible and praying to God for the gift of the Holy Spirit to guide me and give me the strength I need to get through the day. I ask Him to help me focus on everything I need to accomplish. With more and more "practice", I am finding that when I am focused on each task, or interaction with a customer or employee, and I put in my best effort and stay present in it, I am less stressed when I get home. When I know that I have done everything to the best of my ability, when I have remained present and know that I have done it correctly, I can have that peace not only when I get home, but all day long. And when I get home and allow myself that time to get into the Bible again and be so grateful for His help and all the things we went through together that day. I can rest in peace!