What Leads to Peace

Peace - people long for it, pray for it, even fight for it, ironically. It is ranked near the top of most desired attributes, following contentment and health. Many cultures integrate the meaning of peace into their words of greeting and parting - Aloha, Shalom, Namaste, for example. In the New Testament, Paul incorporated "peace" into the opening of all of his letters. In fact, the word 'peace' is used 95 times.

Why is peace so important? Internal peace must come before there is external peace. How about those days when Murphy's law reigns - one thing goes wrong, and everything follows suite? When we get "up on the wrong side of the bed", as my Mom used to say, and are irritated and agitated, it seems that the day gets exponentially worse. We are already dressed in fighting gear from the get go.

But, that can be changed through the power of the Holy Spirit. When we ask for peace in our soul, God will certainly grant it, for He desires that for us. When we have that 'peace that passes all understanding', it spills over into the scenarios around us. Paul tells us that it will actually guard our heart and our thoughts! That's phenomenal!

Php 4:7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.

Eph 4:1-3  I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 

When you pray for peace, don't forget to ask for peace within. Shalom!

Have a blessed day!

Bonnie  @BlessedBeBoutique