This world is where we live at present. We struggle not to live in confusion and doubt and fear. We must make a concerted effort to eliminate these from our lives. But how? Only by taking time for prayer and meditation: where we leave our burdens, our trials, our fears and allow the peace of God to replace them and to fill us. Only then can we triumph over the turmoil of the day. Today we are talking about living in this world but not of this world. Read this article for more on inner peace.
Let’s talk about:
- Living in This World But Not Of this World
- How to Remain Calm During Stressful Times
- Defeating Fear
- Finding Joy in a World of Fear Mongers
- How to Meditate and Stay in the Present Moment
- Controlling Your Mind
- Make a “Grateful For” List
God is not a God of chaos – “not the author of confusion,”
How to Remain Calm During Stressful Times
I admire those who can handle tense situations, who always have a healing word to say, and seem to walk unscathed through the conflicts of the day. Ask them: it is not a natural thing. You will find that time is spent in preparation of their soul and their emotions, as well as in establishing mental controls. This can be a beneficial part of our prayer time – leaving the unattractive and unbecoming me in trade for a spirit-controlled woman to battle the fray.
“He is before all things and in Him all things hold together.”
Col. 1:17
A powerful leader may well be quiet and controlled, but yield more power in industry, business, education, or any area of life than a boisterous, profane individual. In the Old Testament book of Micah we read:
“And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
Micah 6:8
Defeating Fear
A leader, male or female, defeats fear by depending on help from a higher source, the God of Creation. Vitriol diminishes, peacefulness enters and accord rules.
“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”
Colossians 4:6
Finding Joy in a World of Fear Mongers
William James, early philosopher, and eminent psychiatrist, wrote:
“The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.”
William James
Read this article for more about stress relief and happiness. Today we are talking about living in this world but not of this world.
How to Meditate and Stay in the Present Moment
Paul summarized a teaching of Jesus when he expressed this thought in yet another way:
“ Whatsoever things are true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
Phillippians 4:8
Summarizing these two statements, it is evident that we have the ability to rid our mind of this barrage of hate and ugliness. We can replace those thoughts in our minds. It is incumbent upon us to master this teaching, practice this discipline and brighten our corner of the world. Today we are talking about living in this world but not of this world.
Controlling Your Mind
I find these words empowering. I enjoy the feeling of having some control. I choose this day to commit to ridding my mind, my words and my actions of the clanging noise and disparaging degradation of this world. I choose truth and purity and love. Lord, give me the strength to make and live by this choice.
“How sweet the name of Jesus sounds, In a believer’s ear! It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds, And drives away his fear”
John Newton
“Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely, I will help you. Surely, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. “
Isaiah 41:10
Do you feel the power in that verse?
Jesus is our Hope of Eternal Life, our Hope of Peace in a fractured world, our Hope of Joy in a culture lacking happiness, and he is the door to forgiveness through his mercy and by his grace. Read this article for more on inner peace.
We do not have to live in the bondage of the ungodliness of this world: it is imperative that we claim the power from God to live joyfully, peacefully, and lovingly. May we be balm to a weary and wounded world. Today we are talking about living in this world but not of this world.
Dustin Benge gives guidance for our prayer life that would be conducive to achieving the above joyful living goals as he writes concerning prayer for our families:
Make a “Grateful For” List
Practically speaking, as we begin to “change our world and reduce the hatefulness”, perhaps we list makers need to make yet another.
Let me encourage you to write out five things for which you are grateful. Ponder them and give thanks each day. Revise, renew or add to them two more things each week. Gratitude is a wonderful flavoring in our lives. I think you will be amazed at the way this brightens your day, lifts your spirits, and adds bounce to your step.
Acts 17:27-28 “From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each of us. For in him we live and move and have our being.”
Life is a gift – a wonderful gift – may we live it to the fullest!
If you would like to know how to accept Jesus Christ and be forgiven of your sins, we invite you to watch the GREAT NEWS FOR YOU Video on this page. May God bless you and keep you.
