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PEACE (4)

How to Obtain Peace of Mind

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.     When we think of peace, we think of a nation not being involved in a war, or, not having any forms of internal turmoil.

 

B.     Peace, however, can also be applied to one single individual.  Peace for an individual involves what is referred to as “peace of mind.”

1.       Peace of mind exists when the mind is at ease.

2.       Peace of mind exists when the mind is free from worry.

3.       Peace of mind exists when one’s life conforms to the truth.

4.       Peace of mind exists when one’s thoughts are filled with positive ideas.

5.       Peace of mind exists when difficult decisions are under control.

6.       Peace of mind exists when there is no fear of the future.

 

C.     If there is no peace of mind, a person has no peace regardless of what is happening elsewhere around him/her.

1.       Restless nights

2.       Poor eating habits

3.       Sorrow and tears

4.       No happiness even in pleasant situations

5.       The mind is focused on worries and fears

 

D.    How do we obtain peace of mind?  Let’s look at several suggestions.

 

I.             REFUSING TO TAKE ON TOO MUCH

 

A.     Peace of mind can often be disturbed by taking on too much at once.

1.       Some people just cannot say:  “No.”

2.       Some people love to be in charge of everything.

3.       Some people do not know their limitations.

4.       Some like to brag about how much they are doing.

5.       Some people like to be brag on regarding how much they are doing.

 

B.     The example of Moses:

1.       Moses took on too much when it came to judging the people (Exo. 18:13).

2.       When his father-in-law saw what Moses was doing, he confronted his son-in-law (Exo. 18:17-18).

 

And Moses’ father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good.  Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee:  for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone.

 

3.       The solution for Moses was to delegate others to hear the lesser matters and he would hear the bigger matters.

 

C.     One human being can only do so much. 

One human being can only do so much well.

One human being has to make choices.

One human being may have to say “no” to some things.

One human being may have to be satisfied with others doing some things.

NOTE:  That human being may be you.

 

 

II.           MAKE DECISIONS

 

A.     Decision-making is not easy for some individuals.

1.       Some have personalities that like things always to be open-ended.

2.       Others know that a decision is final and they worry their decision will be wrong.

 

B.     Once decisions are made, the mind quits focusing on the many options and looks toward carrying out the decision that was made.

1.       Gather all the evidence.

2.       Look at the consequences of each decision.

3.       Get input from others.

4.       Make a decision.

 

C.     Example:  Esther appearing before the king.

1.       When Mordecai found out that Haman had conspired against the Jews, he asked Esther to intervene on their behalf (Esth. 4:8).

2.       Esther was put into a state of turmoil (Esth. 4:11)

a.       She had not been called in unto the king for thirty days.

b.      If she appeared before the king, and he did not extend the golden scepter to her, she would be killed.

3.       Mordecai responded and helped Esther to make up her mind (Esth. 4:13-14).

4.       Esther made up her mind to go unto the king (Esth. 4:16).

 

Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shusahn, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day:  I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law:  and if I perish, I perish.

 

D.    Sometimes, even simple decisions can plague our minds.  It is best to attempt to make our decisions as wisely and as quickly as possible.  Resolve helps bring peace of mind.

 

III.         GENUINE LIVING

 

A.     Always

1.       Live in harmony with God’s Word (Phil. 1:27).

2.       Tell the truth at all times (Eph. 4:25).

3.       Treat individuals as you want to be treated (Matt. 7:12).

 

B.     When we veer from these three simple rules, we bring turmoil to our lives.

1.       When we fail to live in harmony with God’s Word, we have to live with our disobedience to God.  When David sinned and covered his transgression, inwardly he had to deal with his iniquity (Psalm 32:3).

 

When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.

 

2.       When we lie, we constantly have to remember what we said and whether we will be found out.  How did Abraham feel when he lied about his relationship to Pharaoh and she was taken into Pharaoh’s house? (Gen. 12:14-15).

 

And it came to pass, that, when Abram was come into Egypt, the Egyptians beheld the woman that she was very fair.  The princes of Pharaoh saw her, and commended her before Pharaoh:  and the woman was taken into Pharaoh’s house.

 

3.       When we treat others with unkindness, our conscience often has to bear the guilt of our wrong doing.  The sons of Jacob had to live with their lie to Jacob (Gen 42:21).

 

And they said one to another, We are verily guilty concerning our brother in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us.

C.     Romans 13:13

 

Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envy.

 

IV.         PRACTICE CORRECT THINKING

 

A.     There is a right way to think about things, and there is a wrong way to think about things.

1.       When we think correctly, we have peace of mind.

2.       When we think incorrectly, there is no peace of mind.

 

B.     Worry, fear, and grief are often the products of incorrect thinking.

1.       We worry often times about things that will never come to pass.

2.       We fear things that will never come to harm us.

3.       We grieve because we think it is the right thing to do.

 

C.     Example: David’s grief for Absalom

1.       Absalom was killed by Joab (II Sam. 18:14-15).

2.       David bore extreme grief for his son (II Sam. 19:1-3).

 

And it was told Joab, Behold, the king weepeth and mourneth for Absalom.  And the victory that day was turned into mourning unto all the people:  for the people heard say that day how the king was grieve for his son.  And the people gat them by stealth that day into the city, as the people being ashamed steal away when they flee in battle.

 

3.       Joab had to rebuke the king in order to get David to do the right thing (II Sam. 19:5-7, esp. 6b).

 

…for this day I perceive, that is Absalom had lived, and all we had died this day, then is had pleased the king…

 

D.    Self-evaluation is crucial in times of worry, fear, and grief.  If we do not handle these negative emotions, they can easily take away our peace of mine.

 

V.           BOUNDARIES WITH OTHERS

 

A.     A boundary does two things:

1.       It protects what is on the inside of the boundary.

2.       It keeps out all those not invited inside.

 

B.     In life, we must develop our personal boundaries.  If we do not, others will infringe on our boundaries.  When they come in, they are usually unwanted and have a tendency to cause trouble.

 

C.     In the book of Nehemiah, this great leader was rebuilding the walls of the city of Jerusalem. 

1.       Nehemiah’s enemies were constantly trying to destroy his work.

2.       On one occasion, they tried to get Nehemiah to meet with them in a village in the plain of Ono (Neh. 6:2a).

 

That Sanballat and Geshem sent unto me, saying, Come, let us meet together in some one of the villages in the plain of Ono.

 

3.       Nehemiah would not let them into his boundaries (Neh. 6:3).

 

And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down:  why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?

 

4.       Some people are very persistent.  We have to be just as determined to hold our line (Neh. 6:4).

 

Ye they sent unto me four times after this sort; and I answered them after the same manner.

 

D.    Some believe that protecting your boundaries is rude and hateful.  Let’s go back to Nehemiah 6:2 and read the second portion of the verse.

 

…But they thought to do me mischief.

 

1.       If Nehemiah would have allowed these men into his boundaries, they would have harmed him.

2.       Sometimes, when we allow people, they harm out peace of mind.  Therefore, we must set our boundaries with them.

a.       Say:  “No.”

b.      Give them options.

c.       Set time limits.

d.      Establish rules.

e.       Hold them accountable.

 

VI.         SEEK GOD IN PRAYER

 

A.     Paul counsels us to seek God in prayer rather than be anxious and upset (Phil. 4:6-7).

 

Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made know unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

 

B.     It is in prayer that we lay everything at the feet of God. 

1.       We cast our burdens on Him (I Pet. 5:7).

2.       We let our requests be known (Phil. 4:6).

3.       We ask in faith, nothing wavering (Jms. 1:6).

 

C.     Two examples:

1.       Hannah

a.       She was in bitterness of soul (I Sam. 1:10a).

b.      She prayed to the Lord (I Sam. 1:10b-11).

c.       She went her way (I Sam. 1:18b)

 

…So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad.

 

2.       Jesus

a.       Jesus entered the Garden of Gethsemane very sorrowful (Matt. 26:38).

b.      He prayed three times and always asked for the Lord’s will to be done (Matt. 26:39, 42, 44).

c.       After He prayed, we see Jesus as a very strong and patient individual who is able to endure the trails, the scourging, and the crucifixion.

3.       In both examples, I am reminded of Paul’s words:  “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”  NOTE:  If it were true for Hannah and Jesus, it can be true for us as well.

 

VII.       SEEK HELP FROM OTHERS

 

A.     Close friends and our brothers and sisters in Christ can be of great assistance to us at times.

 

B.     Proverbs 27:9

 

Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart:  so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel.

 

C.     Example:  Jonathan strengthened his friend David (I Sam. 23:16)

 

And Jonathan Saul’s son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.     There is hardly anything worse than a troubled mind.

 

B.     There is hardly anything better than peace of mind.

 

C.     In order to have peace of mind, we must

1.       Take charge of our lives.

a.       Don’t take on too much.

b.      Make good decisions.

c.       Live genuinely.

d.      Think correctly

e.       Set boundaries.

2.       Seek God in prayers,

3.       Seek assistance from good friends.

 

D.    Colossians 3:15

 

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.