You will keep in
perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.
Isaiah 26:3
Today, in our pursuit of P.E.A.C.E., to God’s Presence let us add Encouragement.
I don’t know about you, but some days I find peace pretty
elusive. For instance, this week I have been thrown a strange curve ball that I’ve
allowed to become a real peace disturber. Details, details; it’s all in the
pesky details. Nothing major. It’s just that I thought I had a handle on
things, but apparently not so. I am in need of encouragement to restore my
sense of peace.
The question is, why am I so easily discouraged by the little
things over which I have no control? I believe it is a matter of the mind. What
am I looking at? Where is my focus? Why is my mind not steadfast, leaning on You God, as the Hebrew words
suggest? How come I do not trust in You
to the marrow of my bones? So what say you—matter over mind, or mind over
matter?
I
choose mind. You see, you and I, we have
the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16). That ought to blow your mind! The
Spirit of God, in me, searches and reveals the deep things of God, if I will but
let Him (1 Corinthians 2:9-16).
As
Oswald Chambers says, February 11th My Utmost for His Highest, “Imagination
(or the mind) is the greatest gift God has given us and it ought to be devoted
entirely to Him. If you have been bringing every thought into captivity to the
obedience of Christ, it will be one of the greatest assets to faith when the
time of trial comes, because your faith and the Spirit of God will work
together.”
Big
trials, little details, turn your thoughts about them over to Christ. Capture
whatever discourages you and relegate it to the back burner. Actually, go
deeper. Get whatever it is out of your mind. Fill your mind with Jesus. The mind controlled by the Spirit is life
and peace (Romans 8:6).
It
is up to me then. I must be in hot pursuit of the mind devoted entirely to
Christ. The Hebrew word for mind or imagination, yeser, also suggests the word picture of a frame. Imagine that. If I were to frame all those pesky details
within Christ, what would they look like on the canvas? Do you see the picture?
Well, not exactly; the end is not often ours to know. But I am encouraged to
know Christ is in control of what is framed, that I can trust it to Him.
Lord Jesus, once again I am reminded it is You Who can restore my sense of peace. How encouraging is that!
Nancy P
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