Outside Reading: The Pattern of Peace

"Don't worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 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 4:6-7


In the November issue of In Touch Ministries, Charles Stanley speaks about approaching thanksgiving in a different way from usual. He refers to the above verse to show how the apostle Paul expects us to pray. Dr. Stanley identifies three words that the disciple uses in setting a pattern for peace: prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving.


For each word, he describes how it fits within the context for peace. For supplication, Dr. Stanley states we must speak to God not just about our circumstances, but offer our hearts to Him. "Sharing our feelings with the Lord is essential if we are to develop a loving, intimate relationship," he explains. I lack in giving my all to the Lord for I do worry about what he has in store for me. It's because I don't see the immediate results of my prayers that lead me to believe that he's not present. Not true. I know it's my faith that controls my mind as what I believe to be true dictates my actions.


Thinking right is crucial if I want to experience peaceful spirit for what I insert into my mind influences my spiritual journey. Dr. Stanley believes, as well as Paul, that if I dwell on holy, godly thoughts, I will practice holiness, or at least, have a clean mind and heart. The opposite is true. If sinful, dirty thought occupy my mind, it interferes not only my relationship with God, but leads me to engage in sinful behaviors and pursuits.


My mind does, sometimes, drift to unwholesome thinking because the material I place in it can be harmful to me psychologically.  This is why its important for me to study Scripture daily to avoid negative content entering my thought pattern. Paul states in verse 8, "Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise."