Advent #2 P.E.A.C.E: Coping With Anxiety

 Not Necessarily The Season To Be Jolly Nor Peaceful

Peace I leave with you.
My peace I give to you,
and it is not the kind of peace the world gives.
It is the kind that will not let you hearts be troubled or afraid.
Jesus
(A Paraphrase)
John 14:27

Praying Expecting Almighty Controls Everything

I have heard a song playing, this time of the year, that may not be exactly what numerous people are experiencing; for example, this is not the “Most Wonderful Time Of The Year” for people who have experienced a beloved family member dying. Nor is it a time people are filled with peace, if they have lost a job or if there life is filled with anxiety over this Covid -19. Or it could be a difficult time if your health is failing or an adult child, at the prodding of his spouse, has abandoned you and taken away your grandchildren. Indeed, many things can keep this from being the most wonderful time of the year, if you let it.

Consequently, I like to allow my thoughts to drift toward Advent, which is focusing on the coming of the Lord. And the Lord coming to you, as you experience your own Advent, not only offers us H.O.P.E., as we discussed last week, but it also offers us what we see in this second candle of Advent: We see P.E.A.C.E. being offered to us The Peace of God, because of the Peace we can have with the God of Peace via the one whom we call “The Prince of Peace,” opens the door wide for us to live in peace. He really does offer us a way to overcome every challenge. Again, I like to use an acrostic to help get things in focus.

P.E.A.C.E.

Praying Expecting Almighty Controls Everything, is a powerful spiritual practice which can empower us to walk in peace, as we open our hearts to Jesus P.E.A.C.E., which He promises in the promise at the beginning of this blog. This promise is for His Covenant People, and so the P.E.A.C.E. begins with walking with the Lord Jesus, as both Savior and Lord of our lives. Read through John 14:1-6, as well as the John 14:27 P.E.A.C.E. promise. This blessing of peace is not about being religious. It is about walking in a relationship with God the Father, through Jesus the Son of God, by the power of The Holy Spirit.

The Big Question:

What do we Pray, as we Expect Almighty to Control Everything? Let me answer this as simply as possible from Philippians 4:6-7. Here we read:

Don’t be anxious about anything,
but in everything, by prayers and petitions,
with thanksgiving,
present your requests to God.
And then the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,
will guard your hearts and minds
IN Christ Jesus!

Here the P.E.A.C.E. plan is spelled out clearly, from the only ONE who can actually provide us with peace, during challenging times: Don’t be anxious, but if you are feeling anxious, God has something you can be and do. Even Jesus got anxious in the Garden of Gethsemane! So, it’s no sin to be anxious. Check this out:

•  First, Pray to God. Talk to Him, as if He were a wonderful empathetic Counselor who loves you! After all He is the “Wonderful Counselor!” And He is the one who pays your counseling bills. So, you don’t have to worry about any indebtedness. 
• Second, don’t limit what you share with Him: Cast ALL your concerns on God, who cares about you, and He cares about what is happening to you. Talk to Him about everything that is making you anxious. Petition God about what you are anxious. 
• Third, mix in a bit of gratitude: Thank God for whatever you can think about being thankful. You might begin with thanking Him for loving you, listening to you, and caring for you, and for being in control. Don’t be timid about your prayers, petitions nor your thanksgiving. Effectively, fervently, thankfully, and with all your heart open up you life to God! After all, He already knows everything. So, get honest with God. Let go of all of it, and Let God handle it! I promise you that God is much stronger than you. Pray Expecting Almighty Controls Everything! You see, He actually does control everything. 
• Finally, let the peace of God, that surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Yes, you would do yourself a favor simply letting peace happen. I think you will be glad you did.

This works for me. I know it will work for you.

God Bless You,
SoJourner