3 Steps to Experience Real Peace by Becky Harling
http://www.identitynetwork.net/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&view=post&articleid=3-Steps-to-Experience-Real-Peace-by-Becky-Harling-&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
By Becky Harling
Have you ever thought, "I just need a little peace and quiet!" Maybe you don't need absolute silence, but rather quiet in your soul. May I ask you—what most often steals your peace? A full schedule. Pressure at work. Finances. Health issues. Worries about kids. All of those are valid when it comes to creating anxiety and stress in our souls. Yet Paul wrote that we are to "let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts" (Colossians 3:15). This peace results in calmness of soul. It's the assurance that all will be well.
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Have you ever thought, “I just need a little peace and quiet!” Maybe you don’t need absolute silence, but rather quiet in your soul.
May I ask you—what most often steals your peace?
-
A full schedule
-
Pressure at work
-
Finances
-
Health issues
-
Worries about kids
All of those are valid when it comes to creating anxiety and stress in our souls. Yet Paul wrote that we are to “let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts” (Colossians 3:15). This peace results in calmness of soul. It’s the assurance that all will be well.
We long for that—but how do we get there?
As I’ve been thinking about this, a few suggestions have come to mind. Here’s what I know: we don’t have to be victims of angst or stress. We can be more than conquerors. But it will take intentionality on our part. As a naturally angsty person, here are a few things that have helped me.
3 Steps to Experience Real Peace
Set Boundaries. Psalm 147:13–14 says, “He strengthens the bars of your gates and blesses your people within you. He grants peace to your borders and satisfies you with the finest wheat.”Boundaries were God’s idea. You can’t be all things to all people. You can’t run like crazy doing all the things if you want a calm soul. Instead, set boundaries not only around your schedule but also around your soul. Focus on obeying God rather than trying to please everyone. Once the bars of your gates are strengthened, you will experience more peace.
Nurture Trust. Trusting God is a lifelong journey. I wish it were easier, but it takes practice. When life starts spinning and the unexpected happens, I have learned to quietly declare in my soul, “God, I trust You.” Our whole life’s journey is to be one long trek of trusting God and worshipping Him. When you feel discouraged, like your peace is fleeting, remember—it takes a lifetime. Take the next baby step of trust. Maybe that’s as simple as praying, “Lord, You have been faithful in the past. You will be faithful in this.”
Choose Gratitude. When we choose gratitude, our minds shift their focus from what we are lacking to what we have. As a result, peace follows. If you want to experience peace, practice gratitude daily!
Friend, stay on the journey. Set boundaries, nurture trust, and choose gratitude. Gradually, you will experience the peace your heart is pursuing.
Becky Harling
http://www.identitynetwork.net/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&url=10&view=post&articleid=How-Do-We-Get-Wisdom-from-God-by-Becky-Harling-&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
Everyone I know is needing wisdom these days. They're seeking wisdom for job transitions, school choices for their kids, and wisdom for their relationships. Right? You probably need wisdom in some area of your life as well. Our temptation when we need wisdom is to turn to Google. I remember when one of our daughters said to me, "Mom, how did you raise us without Google?" We laughed over that. My answer was, "Your dad and I learned early in our parenting journey to get on our knees and ask God for wisdom."
http://www.identitynetwork.net/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&url=10&view=post&articleid=Lead-with-Courage-and-Compassion-by-Becky-Harling-&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
Lately, I've been fascinated by the biblical character Deborah. She is extraordinary because, at the time, women were not valued or deemed worthy of leadership—yet God had other plans for her. You can read her story in Judges 4–5. Her story takes place during a time in Israel when everyone did what was right in their own eyes. It was a season of moral decay, lawlessness, and violence. Consequently, God raised up judges to help bring order to the chaos. The judges were to lead the people and the military, defend Israel, and provide wise counsel. They were charged with leading the people to freedom from their oppressors.
http://www.identitynetwork.net/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&url=10&view=post&articleid=Living-in-the-Light-by-Becky-Harling-&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
When my children were small, they would sometimes wake up with nightmares. I'd hear the sound of little feet pattering down the hallway, and within minutes, I'd have a little one snuggled up next to me in our bed. For one of our kiddos, we eventually kept a sleeping bag right next to our bed so that when she felt afraid of the dark, she could snuggle in, knowing we were just inches away.
