Keys For Finding Peace

Philippians 4:4-9

Peace.  That is something just about everyone would love to see in their lives, whether it is an actual cessation of wars and conflicts between various nations, harmony between neighbors and family members, or a sense of calmness and tranquility within ourselves. We would all love to see this, but it seems elusive, if not impossible to find. In our passage from God’s Word today, Paul gives us some keys as to how we can cultivate peace in our lives.

The first key in our Scripture passage today that Paul gives us is that we need to always rejoice in the Lord (vs. 4).  Some of us may ask how we could possibly be always rejoicing, with all the problems in our life. This is, however, what the Lord is telling us to do if we would like to see peace in our life.  Despite the problems we may have, we can have peace. Our inner attitude does not have to reflect our outward circumstances. Paul could rejoice no matter what happened to him, as he knew Jesus was with him.  The Philippian Christians, to whom this epistle was written, saw this first hand with Paul. When Paul and Silas came to Philippi to bring the Gospel, they were flogged and imprisoned, yet they praised God, sang hymns, and rejoiced (Acts 16:16-34).  We need to rejoice always in everything, no matter our circumstances.

Another key for the Lord bringing us peace is to show gentleness to others (vs. 5).  The Lord instructs us here to be gentle, fair, and charitable to both those in the church, and those outside of the church.  When we are kind to others, we are contributing to an atmosphere of peace around us.

A third key for peace that the Lord gives us is in verse 6, and that is to stop worrying, and instead bring everything to God in prayer, along with giving Him thanks.  God knows our needs, and promises to provide for them.  He is the only one who has the power and wisdom to deal with every issue in our life perfectly.  Fretting and worrying indicates a lack of trust in God’s wisdom, sovereignty, and power. Whatever comes our way in life, take our concerns to God. Turn our worries into prayers. We need to trust Him with an attitude of thanksgiving, and find contentment in what we are given. Sometimes being thankful isn’t always easy when the troubles seem huge, but it is important to discipline ourselves to be thankful in every circumstance.  If Paul and Silas could in prison, with bloody and beaten bodies, we certainly can!

Another key for peace is found in verse 8.   As believers we need to examine what we are putting into our minds through the internet, TV, books, conversations, movies, etc.  Whatever is in our mind is what will eventually come out in our conduct and our speech. If we are filling our mind with sinful and negative material, that is what will come out.  Paul tells us to put in good and wholesome thoughts. Replace all harmful input with wholesome ones. Read God’s Word and pray more. Focus on what is good and pure.

God’s peace is different from the world’s peace (John 14:27).  It is not “positive thinking” or an absence of conflict. It is in knowing God is in control.  The peace of God is an inner calmness that we can experience only when we put everything in His hands, and fully trust Him (John 16:33).  When we are firmly rooted in a deep relationship with God, we can enjoy a peace that transcends explanation. When everything is in a tumult around us, we can still be confident and calm.

Peace isn’t something that is just dropped from heaven to believers. Peace is a byproduct, the promised result of ceasing to worry, praying about our needs, and being thankful.  As long as our satisfaction depends on whether certain things actually work out, we’ll allow circumstances to rob our peace. Contentment should never be dependant on our circumstances. Put what we read and learn from God’s Word into practice. Exposure to God’s Word is not enough, it must lead to obedience.  When we really believe that God is able and willing to do what is best for His children, then we will find an inner calm and peace.

Rejoice always, be gentle, stop worrying, start praying, be thankful, and keep our mind filled with good thoughts.  When we do this we can find God’s peace.