A Little Peace of Mind

Lindsay Lohan was recently investigated as the perpetrator in an assault at a West Hollywood nightclub. She was accused of shoving another patron. In trouble…again.

Lindsay Lohan, actress, recording artist, model, and troubled soul. I like Lindsay. I first saw her in “The Parent Trap” when my kids watched it. She did a great job of acting in “Mean Girls.” And, she can sing, too. But…the drugs…the rehab…the arrests…and the repeating bad behaviors. She just can’t seem to get it together. So sad. So much talent. So much promise of greatness.

What Lindsay lacks, is that peace in life that allows you to deal with what happens. Bad things DON’T just happen to bad people. Bad things happen to everybody. They smash the will to live. But, God promises a peace that seems impossible to understand. It’s apparent in people when they should be falling apart. You’ve seen those people. You think: “How can she keep from losing it?!” Alone, she can’t. With the peace of God she can. The verse today even goes on to say that God’s peace stands guard over your heart. It protects and defends your heart. Man, in this world, that is hard to understand.

Life is tough. It’ll walk right up, get in your face, and punch you in the mouth some days. There’s a peace that could get you through times like that. You may not understand how, but it’ll get you through.

Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4

Give Me a Hand!

The Psychology Today website provides a way to find a therapist, psychiatrist, or treatment center in your area. You can sort by price, gender, or alphabetical order. If you look under Family Conflict Therapists, you won’t believe how many there are. Twenty some to a page and there are pages and pages…and that’s just for one city! We’d like to think families get along, but we know better. There are relationship issues. Step-family issues. Financial issues. Adolescent issues. Medical issues. A family can be full of conflict.

When conflict happens, we usually take one of three paths: We fight, we take flight, or we ignore it. None of these is a healthy response to conflict. The Biblical response to conflict is to seek peace.

Now, all conflict isn’t bad. Some will cause growth and bonding. But, when conflict interferes with your relationships and is making your life a struggle, then it needs to be addressed.

(Jesus speaking) You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate. Luke 6

Where does God stand in this? God does not want you to resolve your conflict alone. When we honor him and seek his help in finding peace, he says he will help us, get us on the track to really living life again. Perhaps, the place to start, God says, is in being compassionate. Being empathetic and understanding. Putting yourself in the shoes of the other people involved. That’s the beginning of finding peace.

In your conflicts you don’t have to beat your head against the wall. God is waiting for you to ask for his help. Why don’t you try him today.

Pot of Gold? How About a Cold One!

I remember as a kid my mom saying there was a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. I tried a few times to follow the rainbow to the end to see if she was right. Nope. No pot of gold. And, no truck of Guinness beer, either!

Does God promise a pot of gold for all who follow him? Sorry, but he doesn’t. He does promise a lot of things, though. One verse in the Bible speaking of God says: “And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises.” Promises like his saying he has plans for you. Good plans for your future and hope for it. He says if you are weary and carrying a burden, he will give you rest. Those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.

God says, if you follow and trust him, he will help you to be at peace. That’s saying a lot for living in this world, isn’t it. This world can be a scary place. Just catch the online news any day or watch a little of CNN on the tube. Bad things happen every day. People are always saying: “I didn’t think this could happen to me.” But…it did.

Here’s a promise of God’s that’s worth more than any pot of gold. He says:

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14

No matter how brave you think you may be, there are times when deep down you are afraid. And, if not for you, for your spouse or child, someone you love. Trust God and you can claim the promise above as your own. Peace. In a world of chaos.