There was a very old saying coined in a time when strong nations constantly invaded weaker nations: ‘If you want peace – you must always prepare for war’. It was understood the only way a nation could be left in peace was to be strong enough that no one could take their peace from them.
Children at school also learn the strong kids are usually left in peace while the weak ones are often a target.
Do we desire to have ‘Peace of Mind’? If so, we must be prepared and develop a strong mental attitude. The world is full of bullies and overwhelming circumstances and it’s easy to become a victim. Whether we like it or not, there’s a spiritual war going on and if we are not armed and ready it won’t be long before we are a spiritual casualty knocked down with constant worrying, fear and depression. God has given us the armaments to defend ourselves. We must put on our spiritual armor (Eph 6: 13-18), we must exercise in God’s Word daily and rely on His promises within. In a nutshell, God is our armor and our strength. When we actively employ God (and His Truth) to work in our circumstances through prayer and faith, we can relax. He knows every aspect of what is going on and is hands-down the most powerful Being in the universe. If God can create existence and keep it all bound together – even at a microscopic level, He can easily handle our little problems – but only if we let Him. Romans 8:31b states: If God is for us, who can be against us?
When we trust in God, He will immediately start working into our situation. Sometimes He will bring immediate relief and resolution. However, at other times, God won’t change our circumstances – He will slowly change us so we rise above the trials and petty people (this is usually God’s preferred outcome as it builds strength and endurance). Whatever the outcome, quick or slow, we can rest assured it is the best outcome (Roman 8:28).
When we start using God to fight our battles, we will develop thinking like David when he was being hunted in the desert. Even when surrounded by enemies and in dire circumstances, our ‘Peace of Mind’ will not be taken from us. Then we can state like David: I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8