I'm The Source

Isaiah 26:3 God will keep me in perfect peace, for my mind is stayed on Him: because I trust in Him.

So, if I am not in perfect peace, it is because my mind is not focused on the things of God.

We cannot be blaming our lack of personal discipline on the people factor in our lives. Those grating personalities within our sphere are there to sand us, to whittle our arrogance and self-sufficiency.

When, not if, cause it's a given, someone bad-mouths you, puts you down, or just plain slanders you, don't take it to heart. Don't let that seed take root. Kill it with love. Love that person into the Kingdom of God. Don't let your mind dwell on the bad things. Just praise the Lord!

Not everyone we know will be likable, but we need to remember that we should have the mind of Christ in us, enabling us to see each person with unconditional love. He's not asking you to trust that person(s), or believe what they are saying, just love and accept. In the same way in which Christ loves and accepts you and me.

Now, how do I stay in perfect peace? Is there some magical solution? Does God just throw a bone in my direction and I am totally relaxed? Not hardly. But, He does give me directions on how to reach perfect peace. It is, after all, a state of mind, which transforms itself into a way of life.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

So, just what is pure? What is lovely? What is of good report? What has virtue? What, or who, deserves our praise? Who or what is in our thoughts? What occupies our time so much that we fail to recognize the deterioration going on in our minds? We cannot blame society for what is ultimately our responsibility.

Jesus says we will be held accountable for our actions: 1 Corinthians 4:2, 11, 12 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling place; And labor, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it; Being defamed, we entreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the off-scouring of all things unto this day.

Wow, even in the early church the Christians were treated like trash (the filth of the world). They never had rights in the community. Our actions are based on our thoughts. If we are continually angry at another, perhaps there is unforgiveness on our part. If we are addicted to something, like shopping or eating, perhaps we are making up for a lack we remember but no longer have.

Our memories are filtered at best. They go through the sands of time and the hands of God (when we let Him) and become grainy and distorted. Give these remembrances to God. Without the bungee cord attached. Cause if you don't let go, God can't heal you. If you cannot forgive, God cannot forgive you.

Matthew 25:21,23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things: enter into the joy of the Lord.

We will not hear these words from our Lord and Savior if we are not faithful in the little things. But to me, this is not a little thing. To have sanity and peace of mind is a basic necessity in life. It's right up there with oxygen to breathe and water to drink.

I'm the source of all my anxieties, frets,worries and discombobulations. But GOD, is the Source of all my relief. His Word, His Way, His Love.