Peace Of Mind

JUL 11 - JUL 17 2010 — PEACE OF MIND — ISSUE 162

Ladies, gentlemen, and rockers everywhere, Jon Bon Jovi blew out his calf muscle on stage this past weekend. If hair-band leading, anthem-slinging legends like him aren't impervious to time's destructive tendencies, what hope do us mere mortals have? We may as well just stay in bed tomorrow and not even risk it. (I'll let you know if my boss accepts that as a valid reason for not going in to work.) None of that has anything to do with this week's topic, so get ready to switch gears. (Be careful, though, you don't have 90 bazillion dollars to fix you if you break like a certain someone.)

If you dig deep enough, at the heart of any sinful action is selfishness. The person committing the sin did it with the intention of getting some form of physical, mental, or emotional gratification and benefit. This self seeking mentality can disguise itself deep under layers of excuses and seemingly harmful actions, possibly even masquerading as a good deed, all-the-while being just another deception of our heart.

ROMANS 8:5-8 NIV

There are many occasions in my life where I feel restless, not at all at peace with the way my life is. Too many things I want to do, plan to do, hope to do, and have to do. It's at these times I have to step back and ask myself, "What is my mind set on? Self or God?" If I'm not peaceful, perhaps it's because my mind is not set on Spiritual things, but instead on selfish things, which as we know, can easily become sinful things. Paul says the mind controlled by the Spirit will have peace and life, but if sin is its focus, death is the outcome.

Have you ever found yourself discontent? Or how about arguing with God about something you know He wants you to do with your life? When we allow our minds to be controlled by something other than the Spirit, we will always be argumentative, unhappy, and maybe even hold a bit of a grudge as we comply. Paul says a sinful mind is hostile toward God, and it cannot please Him. Doesn't that describe us at times when we get self-focused over Kingdom-focused? And haven't we all felt that peace that comes when we embrace the Spirit?

If you're not at peace, look into your current motives and goals. That restless feeling doesn't have to be around long; you just have to refocus.

Brett "How would you feel if you were the one who 'gave love a bad name'?" Hibbler