Peace of mind can be a pretty elusive thing!
Even on relatively good days, we can find ourselves suddenly feeling anxious about things that are out of our control. In times of rapid change and transition we can easily feel overwhelmed by those anxieties.
That’s how many of us feel right now. With a new administration in place in the White House, making huge changes at breakneck speed, reversing courses that we have been on for years or even decades—many of us are frightened, bewildered, and feeling a sense of hopelessness.
Whenever I feel that way, one of my “go-to texts” is Philippians 4:4-9. In it, the Apostle Paul gives us some excellent advice for how to keep from “freaking out” when things seem to be going out of control.
First, he says “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.” We may not feel much like rejoicing when things are in turmoil, but this is a reminder to keep looking for the good things that sill fill our lives, even in tough times. Keep looking for that half-full part of the glass!
Next, Paul says “Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.” This is a reminder for us not to let the outer trauma to change our inner nature. When we see anger and fear around us, we need to resist becoming angry and fearful ourselves. We need to let our gentleness, our compassion, and our sensitivity be our guide. We need to shine light in the darkness, not throw more shade.
The next piece of advice is: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” This reminds us that we need to keep praying all the time! God is still in control of the big picture, and our prayers can help us rise above the immediate chaos, and cling to the ultimate plan and direction God has for us.
Verse eight exhorts us: “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
Every moment of every day we make choices about how we will spend our time, where our focus will be, and which voices we hear. We can choose to obsess over bad news, and “doom-scroll” our time away. But we can choose another, better way. Read a good book. Listen to good music. Visit an art gallery. Take a drive or walk through nature and savor its beauty. Reflect and meditate on beautiful poetry, or the promises of scriptures.
If we choose to “think about these things” perhaps we’ll feel our blood pressure come down a bit, and our fears recede. With a calmer frame of mind, we can make clearer decisions and judgments, and become part of the solution, and not just add fuel to the fire by being part of the problem! As Paul puts it: “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
May God give us calm minds and steady hearts to be voices of peace, justice, and compassion in these turbulent days!
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