I am unfortunately good at killing my houseplants. Sometimes it is through benign neglect. Others, I kill through bad habits: overwatering, overfeeding, or putting them in the wrong light conditions. I love those happy green plants in my home. But sometimes, through my own actions, I hurt my own plants.
I think we often do the same with the peace of God. We want the peace of God. We yearn for it in our lives, especially in our turmoil, conflict, and trials. And yet, there are things we do that shatter our peace. What are they?
Peace Killers
Busyness/Rushing
Luke 10:40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.”
Ps 127:2 It is in vain that you rise up early
and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil;
for he gives to his beloved sleep.
When I am rushing about, I am not actually getting more done. I am however killing what little peace I’ve managed to hold on to!
Selfishness
James 3:16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.
Selfishness kills not just peace but joy and love and the rest of the fruit of the spirit. When I am allowing my own selfish will to exist, I cannot have room to plant God’s will in my heart.
Comparison
Proverbs 14:30 A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.
When we constantly compare our lives with those of others, where they fall short (where we fall short), what we “should” add/do to our own lives, we lose our contentment. We also lose sight of the beauty of differences within the body. We fail to see that the eye must act differently because of the roles God has placed upon her and that God has plans for her just as surely as he does for me.
Bitterness/Resentment
Hebrews 12:15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;
When we constantly dwell or obsess on our hurt, replaying scenarios in our mind, we do not grow good things. When we remember the good things in our lives, the times where God has acted and provided, He helps us grow those good things.
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Excessive Worrying
Luke 21:34 “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap.
There is an appropriate place for concern. My husband has preached some sermons on how we should be stirred for the good of others, how our hearts should feel keenly for others. But there are burdens we keep on our hearts that the Lord does not want us to bear. He wants us to give them to him. His shoulders are big enough to carry them. We will bow under the weight, but God can carry what we give to him.
1 Peter 5:7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
May we each find his peace today.
(14:27) Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
Photo by Drew Beamer on Unsplash
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