Walking With the Shoes of Peace
Philippians 4:6-7 says, "Do 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."
Peace....It's one commodity I have really come to cherish in life as I get older. Having daily peace is what makes everything else work together in my house and life. Joy and Peace are two gifts I ask the Lord for daily.
I don't know about yall, but Philippians 4:6-7 has been a staple verse in my life for some time now. Don't worry, just pray. Don't be anxious about anything, just pray. But I have to be completely honest with yall...here's a little secret about me...as much as I have claimed that part of scripture, somehow I have STILL let fear creep in, affect me, and sometimes consume me.
Can I get an amen out there? Is anyone else following me?
Well, yesterday as I was going through Priscilla Shirer's study on the Armor of God (side note, I highly recommend this study), God gave me a HUGE revelation about peace and about why I still fall prey to the attacks of the enemy with believing lies that lead to fear. Yes, as I have been claiming this verse above among others, I have only been focusing on one element of the equation and there are actually 2 elements to keep my heart guarded from fear.
Are you ready for this Hidden Truth? Okay, so in John 14:27, Jesus tells his disciples that he is peace, and he is leaving with them peace. And then in Ephesians 6:15, Paul tells us that the shoes of peace are a gift as our armor of God....so PEACE is our gift and inheritance from the Lord. But again, why don't we have peace all the time, if Jesus gave us peace?
The answer is, we must daily PUT ON the shoes of peace. And to do so, Philippians 4:6-7 tells us how...we must pray with thanksgiving. Did you catch that? Don't just pray and tell God all your requests.....no, pray with expressed gratitude. Prayer + Thanksgiving = Peace
As you pray and lift up your requests and claiming the promises of God, THANK HIM with confident faith that He hears you and IS at work in your life to work everything out. Look back over your life and look for God's hand of faithfulness and thank him. Look at your current circumstances and see His provision and presence in ALL areas and thank him. And then confidently look to the future even though you might not see how everything will work together for good, but THANK HIM that it will as you are in His hands.
Yes my friends, we must ADD gratitude to our prayers, conversations, hearts, mindsets, EVERYTHING to put those shoes of peace on and walk in them! Be grateful for the tiny things and the big things. Create an atmosphere of gratitude in your home and I promise your family will feel the peace. It will be the best gift not only do you receive, but also that you can give away.
Many blessings Truth Carriers,
Ashley
