Today, I share Dave Fletcher’s thoughts on the peace that Jesus leaves us. Dave is the Founder and Director of Faith and Health Connection. Begin quote:
To Trust in God Promotes Inner Peace and Health – John 14:27
DECEMBER 13, 2012 BY DALE FLETCHER
To trust in God promotes health. When you are anxious and in a state of inner
turmoil, the systems of your body interact in ways that are not good for your
health. The nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular and immune systems interact with
one another in such a way as to have an adverse impact on your physical health.
Psychoneuroimmunology is the study of the interaction between psychological
processes and the nervous and immune systems of the body. A variety of health
conditions are linked to poorly managed psychological stress – low back pain,
high blood pressure, ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, rashes, abdominal pain,
insomnia, headaches, panic attacks and the common cold are a few conditions.
Conversely, when you’re in a state of inner peace, the body
is in a state called homeostasis. This is when all your bodily systems are
functioning well and good physical health is promoted.
God knows that it’s not good for you to worry or to be anxious
and that’s why he inspired authors of the Bible to address this issue in their
writings to us. He wants you to trust in God and his promises.
“Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it
up.” Proverbs 12:25
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1
Peter 5:7
“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. Finally,
brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right,
whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is
excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or
received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of
peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:6-9
“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all
times in every way. The Lord be with you all.” 2 Thessalonians 3:16
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what
you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.” Matthew 6:25
Jesus’ solution to troubling life circumstances is to bring
your concerns to him in prayer… and to trust in God – that he will attend to
matters.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your
own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5
When you give your concerns to God and trust in him, you can
have inner peace. Jesus tell us –
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give
to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be
afraid.” John 14:27
The peace that Jesus provides is unlike any peace that other
people and other things can give you. The peace that Jesus provides also brings
your bodily systems to a state of homeostasis… and this is good for your
health. God designed our bodies,
including our mind, to function in a way according to his guidelines to us in
the Bible. He knows that to trust in God promotes peace, and that when we
experience his peace, well being and good physical health are promoted.
When we have good physical health, we’re better able to to
use the gifts God’s given us to serve in his Kingdom. When this happens, God is glorified.
That’s why it’s important to trust in God.
End Quote
Tomorrow, we move to the next fruit of the Spirit, patience.
Hope you can wait. 😉
Prayer: Jesus, thank
you for extending you peace to us. Help
us to trust you with all that would disturb that peace. Amen.
Prayer Focus: Spend
some time identifying the stresses in your spirit that are robbing you of
Jesus’s peace. Offer them to God
Song: Peace Like a
River
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3cnKDpWXy8
Source: https://www.faithandhealthconnection.org/to-trust-in-god-promotes-inner-peace-and-health-john-1427/
