The Lord has only good plans in store for your life. (Jeremiah 29:11) You may go through difficult times, but God promises to use every trial to build "good" into your life. (Romans 8:28) When Satan tells you to worry, God has the opposite in mind. He wants you to trust Him and to experience His peace on a daily basis. How do we gain and retain the true peace of God?
- Recognize your dependence is on God. The heart that finds its identity in Jesus Christ is a heart of peace. The person who rushes here and there to solve his own problems quickly can become a person of strife and worry. Take responsibility for your actions, but let God have the reins to your life.
- Pray. The enemy cannot defeat you when you are on your spiritual knees before God in prayer. This is the true pathway to unshakable peace.
- Trust God. When thoughts of fear invade your mind, tell the Lord what you are feeling and claim His presence as your protection and shelter. David prayed, "Strengthen my arms so I can bend a bow of bronze." In other words, "Strengthen my faith, Lord, so I won't doubt your goodness."
- Focus only on God. Don't cling to negative thoughts. Set the focus of your heart on God and His possibilities. When God views your life, He sees only potential. You can live life to the fullest because Christ is alive in you and all things are under His feet.
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