.png)
There are so many things screaming for our attention this Christmas season. I don't know about you, but it's very easy to get distracted by the noise of social media, the news, and all the hardship I see around me. Can I hear an amen?
Despite all the noise...My hubby and I have been looking into some passages surrounding the word PEACE. In Isaiah 9:6 It says, "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders, and he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
If you look at the original meaning of the word Peace, we find that it means "shalom" or wholeness. God's peace is whole and complete..it is a peace unlike any other. We tend to look for peace in other ways, maybe it's our bank account, or what we own, or the state of our family or health. But Jesus says he is the Prince of Peace...what he promises is wholeness.
Jumping over to the New Testament we see Paul speaking more of this peace. He actually gives the remedy for those of us who struggle with anxiety..and who hasn't struggled with a dose of that this year of 2020?
He says, "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." Phil 4:6
His Shalom, or wholeness will guard our hearts and minds as we pray and present our worries to him!!
He also doesn't just say "Don't worry..." He gives us something to do..."Pray"...and even better he gives us something to think about.
Have you ever had a diet fail?? You just focus on what you can't eat rather than what you can?? On the other hand, the successful ones seem to focus on what you can eat. Well in a similar way..God gives us an action plan for our minds!!
He says, "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things." Phil 4:8
And then..he gives us a promise...he offers himself. "And the God of peace will be with you." Phil 4:9
Notice the reversal of the phrase and the significance. The Peace of God and the God of peace. God is peace and so he can only give us who he is. What a gift this Christmas season. He promises his complete peace..that only he can give. Despite our circumstances he can still bring us peace...because it is only found in him. May his peace that surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds this Christmas.
Let's turn down the noise of all the distractions and spend some quiet with the ONE who offers us himself..who offers us true peace that no one and nothing else can give us this Christmas Season.