Women's Ministry Minute
April 9, 2020
Phyllis Larr
Peace
Philippians 4:6-9
I took a survey the other day. It was asking, on a scale of 1-10 how concern am I about coronavirus affecting me, family, community, etc. It asked how the quarantine affects me emotionally — check all that apply. Honestly if I had known what the survey was about I would have passed. I was having a great day, then this survey had my mind racing about this virus. How was I really doing? Am I deceived? Am I not OK at this moment? I thought, “what happened to my peace?”.
This situation made me think of the definition of peace~ freedom of the mind from annoyance, distraction, anxiety. Before I took the survey, I was at peace. The opposite of peace is uneasiness, fretful, anxious, fearful, insecure. Do you feel like me? Do you feel all kinds of emotions daily, flip flopping? One minute you feel at peace then wham you feel anxious? It is normal to feel these emotions as we live through the coronavirus.
As I have studied out peace, I was reminded that it is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). It’s not just a peaceful mind, it is a godly characteristic. The Holy Spirit helps my mind and character to grow in peace. When I pray and lay my request before God with thanksgiving, the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus (Phil 4:6-7). When I pray about my anxious thoughts, I let God settle my heart.
Phil 4:8-9 teaches me that if I think on things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy think on these things. The peace of God will be with me. I can grow in the fruit of the Spirit of peace.
To grow in having a mind and character of peace I must readjust my thinking daily, often several times throughout the day. I must take my thoughts and turn them to Jesus (2 Corinthians 10:5). What helps me is to write out my thoughts, what makes me feel anxious, uneasy, insecure. I then find scriptures that are truth and write them along-side my anxious thoughts. As my mind starts to go towards those anxious thoughts again, I have scriptures to readjust my thinking to focus on the truth.
If you’re feeling anxious or stress during our time of quarantine, take time to pray quickly to think of things that are pure and right. Write down your anxieties and cares and look to Gods Word to readjust your heart. Sunday I’m going to be sharing a Top 10 list of how to be at peace during the coronavirus. You can watch our service on line at www.champaignchurch.org/live
Faith not Fear Peace not Panic
Have a peaceful day!