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Trinity Lutheran Church McAlester

How do I find personal peace?

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As I watched the movie: “Eat, Pray, Love,” I couldn’t help but think that the main characters quest for peace would have been easier if she really knew the one true God. Her life was challenged with failed relationships and in the end, the fact that she blamed herself for all of the things that were wrong in her life. So she might find peace with herself by forgiving herself. Her source of such simple inspiration came through various yoga practitioners. And, the journey lasted several years.

God’s peace comes from a different place, as in Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV): do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Here, it points to praying to God as a source of peace. Yet, the movie character’s prayer to some unnamed, indefinite god lacked it. Praying to God only makes sense if we believe in God’s personality — his ability and willingness to interact with us — his personal control of all things, and of all creatures and all their actions.

So when the cares of the world make us anxious, or the big questions of the world leave us searching aimlessly, seeking out the God who created and sustains this world makes perfect sense. Moreover, the fact that “his word is truth” means we can let go of all the subjectiveness — the worldly, humanist means — to offer peace  so that we can cling to hard, solid promises of God.

One of God’s promises is forgiveness to those who repent and change their hearts from the place of sin. His forgiveness also is the power for those who believe to forgive others and oneself – regardless of the actions by others. Usually, we are caught up in guilt over our wrongs or angst over things done to us. Faith to let God rule our heart is the best way to overcome all guilt and angst.

Thus, God Gives Peace: For Us to Not Worry, But Pray And Give Thanks

 

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