A PATHWAY TO INNER PEACE
“Christ in the Storm” - Rembrandt, 1633
Anxiety is on the rise in our culture and the personal lives of the people I talk to regularly. It may be due to the prevalent use of social media, the constant drumbeat of the negative news cycle, or our over-scheduled and overcommitted personal lives. No one knows for sure. At least not yet.
However, I think that a life characterized by inner peace is possible. And I believe that Jesus wants this for all His children.
There is a powerful story in the Bible about peace and chaos. Jesus is traveling across the sea of Galilee with His disciples when a dangerous storm threatens to sink their boat. The disciples lose their minds with anxiety. But Jesus remains in perfect peace.
That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” Mark 4:35-41
This story brings profound encouragement. It reveals that just as Jesus calmed a physical storm, He can also speak to the storms within us. When worry and anxiety plague our hearts and minds, His voice can bring peace.
If your inner life feels anything but peaceful, take heart - peace is possible! It may take some work and require new habits, but Jesus can help you move toward an increasingly peaceful inner life. You can learn to maintain peace even amid challenging circumstances and emotional turmoil.
Allow me to offer you a biblical pathway to peace that has been personally helpful to me. When I feel afraid, anxious, scattered, or rushed, I follow the five steps of the P.E.A.C.E. acrostic, knowing that God is ready to assist me in my time of need.
PAUSE: Begin by taking a moment to pause, allowing your mind to calm down. Take a deep breath, still your movements, and close your eyes. Find a quiet room or sit alone in your car. Pausing (for as long as it takes), will help you to focus your mind and gain clarity about what to do next.
ENTER: Enter into God's presence. Acknowledge that He is with you and that you are not alone. Remind yourself that the God of peace is in your “boat” right now. Thank God for being with you and draw near to Him. If you have enough time, you can read Psalm 23 or listen to worship music. Follow the example of the disciples in Mark 4—enter His presence.
ASK: Personally and directly ask God for help. In Philippians 4:6-7, the Apostle Paul encourages us to “not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” God is available and willing to help His children. When you feel anxious or uncertain, ask Him to get involved.
CHOOSE: This step requires faith. After expressing your concerns to God and seeking His help, choose to trust that whatever He decides is good. Trust Him even if your circumstances don't change or if His answer differs from your expectations. The person who can trust like this has the best chance of finding inner peace.
EXPECT: Lastly, expect God to act. While His response may not align with your desires or requests, He will act. As you sincerely ask and trust in His good plan, expect Him to bring calm to your situation. Expect Him to fulfill His promise of guarding your heart and mind against the destructive power of fear and anxiety (Philippians 4:7). Expect Him to show up and demonstrate His faithfulness.
These five steps have helped me navigate the storms in my own life on numerous occasions. So, the next time chaos looms, I invite you to face it with God's help. Remember, you don’t have to sucumb to a life of fear and worry - peace is possible!
——————-
*If this has been helpful, please send me a message and let me know. And please share this post with others who could benefit. My writing aims to help people enjoy a vibrant relationship with Jesus, and it is an honor to be on this journey with you. To receive weekly emails, subscribe at www.bradjenkins.me.