4/7/2013

“It makes a lot of sense

to be a person of few words

and remain calm.”

Proverbs 17:27 CEV

Have you ever known people who live on the ragged edge of near panic? If you are having trouble coming up with names, take a quick peek at a list of synonyms for “high strung”. Words like: agitated, edgy, impatient, rash, reckless, and volatile might help bring some faces to mind — maybe even the one we see in the bathroom mirror every day. Agitated and excitable people have trouble thinking clearly. They often spend a lot of time babbling without saying anything worthwhile. Such a person becomes easy prey for the devil who specializes in confusion.

Satan loves to pounce on minds that are torn and upset by anxiety. He knows anxious people have trouble getting their priorities in the right order. They typically put earthly concerns far ahead of spiritual matters. Jesus addressed this problem in the Sermon on the Mount. He pointed out that even life’s basic needs (food, clothing, and shelter) must not override spiritual concerns (Matthew 5:24-34). His words will mean a lot more to us if we calm down, set aside our mundane anxieties and think carefully about what Jesus said here. “It makes a lot of sense...” to meditate on the enormity of God’s care and concern for us.

But how can we have a “calm spirit” when many stressful things come at us at once? There can be no question that this is one of life’s most difficult challenges, and there are no easy answers. Remaining calm is, to a large degree, a matter of choice. Taking a deep breath and thinking “relax” may help. But the most powerful antidote to a barrage of perplexities is made available to all men by God. It does not come in a tamper proof package and it is more effective than anyone can fathom. The apostle Paul calls it the peace of God. Listen quietly and carefully to the divine directions from our Great Physician about how to use it and its benefits: “In nothing be anxious; 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, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 Don’t miss the one essential prerequisite - the blessings of this peace are inextricably connected to Christ Jesus. Without Him we have nothing.  KD