5 Things You’re Doing That Are Robbing You of Peace
In our last blog post we talked about how peace can only be found in relationship with Jesus Christ. But if this is true, why do believers still experience stress and anxiety?
The number one reason believers still experience chaotic feelings in their lives, even after professing faith in Christ, is because they pick up what they were supposed to leave buried in the grave when they rose to new life in Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Here are five things you may be doing that are robbing you of your peace:
1.Trusting in Yourself Instead of God’s Sovereign Providence
When you accepted salvation, you also accepted God as the Lord of all your life.
Never has our Heavenly Father or Jesus promised that by following Him we’ll have a trouble-free life. But what He has promised us is that He “works for the good of those who love Him,” (Romans 8:28) and that “never will I leave you or forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5). And the fact that nothing in this world can match His power should give you assurance that nothing will keep His promises from being kept.
If you’re walking through one of life’s storms right now, hold onto the confidence that the God who commands the wind and the rain is walking with you.
2.Trusting in Yourself Instead of God to Meet Your Daily Needs
If we truly believe the Almighty God is Lord of our lives, then we need to trust Him to provide for us—not just in times of great need, but in all circumstances.
Consider this: Adam and Eve were naked and unashamed in the Garden of Eden before they ate the fruit because they wholly trusted in God for their security and provision. Likewise, we as believers can trust in the Lord to provide what we need to survive.
If you’re constantly stressed about your daily needs, perhaps you’re placing finances over Jesus in the order of your priorities.
3.Not Having a Clear Conscience
Many times, even though we’ve accepted salvation, we find ourselves giving into the desires of our flesh. But the problem remains the same as it was before we chose to follow Jesus: sin only leads to brokenness.
The solution to sin is also still the same: repent and pursue Jesus.
Putting your faith in Jesus is making the decision to trust His will over your own desires. Even when you find it hard to change your behavior, you’ll find peace in knowing His purpose for you is greater than you can imagine.
4.Continually Trying to Change Things that are Out of Your Control
When the actions of other people or the situation we’re facing doesn’t match our expectations, we experience stress. And human nature is to respond by trying to control.
But Philippians 4:6-7 tells us that peace is experienced in bringing our concerns to the One who is always in control.
Consider this: when you try to control the person or situation that’s giving you trouble, you might be working against what God is already doing in that person’s life or that situation.
When you reach for God instead of control, you’re trusting that He’s at work. And you’re clinging to the promise you made Him when you accepted salvation and asked Him be Lord of your life—that you would allow Him to work in and through you.
5.Not Living in the Will of God
We’ve already hinted at this in other sections of this piece, but ultimately, peace is experienced by submitting to the will of God.
We put our faith in Jesus because we recognized that our sin put us at odds with what we were created for and reconciliation with our Creator is only possible through what Jesus did for us on the cross. It’s in this relationship with God we find our purpose: to know and glorify Him.
So if you’re wrestling with confusion about a direction your life should take, try seeking how you can know God better and how He can be glorified in that situation. When you surrender to His plan, the Holy Spirit reorients your will and desires to His.
Your salvation has given you access to God’s peace through His grace. Lean into it.
“Since then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.”
Colossians 3:1-4
This post is inspired by message 2 of our sermon series on Peace, entitled “Peace with Self” by Dr. Jody Ray. You can watch the full message here. You can also subscribe to download the complete study guide to go along with this series here.