Need Peace? Great Advice From Ancient Wisdom
Philippians 4:5b-7 The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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.
Relational conflict weighs on me. I think about it over and over. I plan out what I should say. (I’m sure this is just me that does this.) Interestingly, this passage in Philippians is given to us in the context of a few people not getting along. Paul (the writer of this letter) urges these people to get along, then launches into this passage on how to experience peace.
First, the Lord is near. If I’m in the wrong; if I’m hurt; if I’m not sure how to move forward with this person – the Lord is near. Like a parent that hugs a troubled child, the Lord is near.
Second, ask God for what you want. During those sleepless nights. When you don’t know what you want. When you think you might be asking for a miracle. Ask God for what you want.
Third, present your requests with thanksgiving. I don’t believe Paul is saying to pretend like we’ve gotten what we want. Rather, he wants us to acknowledge that in everything, there is something we’ve been given from God. Zoom back, look around, find the thing that you’ve been given. Was it grace or a moment of clarity? Was it air to breathe? (Sometimes the bar has to be real low.) Present your requests with thanksgiving.
And here’s the bonus – the peace of God will guard us. Regardless of what happens with the relationship, we will be ok. Peace. Security. Stability. I’m in.
Written By: Veronica Johnson, Licensed Psychologist
Authentic Life Church puts on DECIDE Conference
About 150 parents and teens attended the October conference which featured Envision’s Dr. Veronica Johnson as a presenter. The group was empowered and encouraged to reduce life online and to increase life in the real world. We addressed the anxieties that arise when setting boundaries on our and our kids’ screen use.
If your group is interested in putting on a similar conference, contact us at
720-WELCOME.
Support Groups
Valley View Christian Church offers a TON of support groups. They include help for those facing grief, addictions, codependency, caregiving, divorce, blended families, financial difficulties, midlife, or marriage difficulties. See what I mean when I say, “a TON?!?”
Click here to check out the options.
Valley View Christian Church is easily accessible off Santa Fe, just across from Sterling Ranch.
Great Quote
“The three things I cannot change are the past, the truth, and you. I hate this insight so much.” Anne Lamott
