Patience and long-suffering define our God, reminding me that I have far to go in learning to emulate and imitate Him well. Perhaps one of the reasons that I am so often impatient, even impetuous, stems from my lack of properly focused perspective. So what should my perspective be?
I think this sums it up nicely:
Isaiah 26: 3 You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!
In Hebrew, repetition communicates intensity and the term perfect peace is actually "shalom shalom".
So who receives shalom shalom? The person whose mind is fixed on God. It's intriguing to me that this isn't a matter of the heart or soul. Scripture clearly tells us that to get this sort of peace involves our thought life.
Romans 12:2 speaks of this mentally transforming renewal that is possible when we surrender to the Lordship of Christ. This shalom shalom mentioned in Isaiah is not the kind of peace that world leaders, governments or our bank accounts falsely promise. This is eternal, internal peace that makes all of the confusing, disturbing, irritating, annoying, and disgusting stuff of this life grow strangely dim. We enjoy perfect peace when we know that God is just (He settles all scores rightly) is love (He does appreciate us and forgives our sin) and is able (He capably carries every burden that threatens to break our backs).
So how do I fix my thoughts on these things? By renewing my mind daily through the study of His word. By praying, constantly. By taking every thought captive, weighing the messages I receive from the world against THE message of His Word.
And then...peace. What a promise! Still, it's optional. It's my choice. (And yours.) For me...woe? No! Shalom, shalom.
1 comment:
I needed this today Sandy! Have a lot on my mind that threatens to over take it! Thank you! Stacey
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