Peace of mind in a troubled world...

Wouldnt that be nice!!! Well, it can be...lets see how...

Peace, where is peace--for our nations, our homes and most of all our hearts and minds? The agonizing cry has echoed down through the ages, but it is heard with increasing intensity as the world becomes progressively more tempest tossed and panic stricken. Is it also the cry of yourheart? Amidst the prevailing discontent and disturbance, do you long for an inward quietness that transcends all else?

Endless achievements directed at making the world a safer, better place have only made life more complex and complicated, Though in many ways people have it easie than their parents, they are uneasier. People are weary and worried. Beyone question ther is a need for direstion and counsel, security and confidence. We need and want peace of mind.

Peace of mind---what a treasure! Can this treasure actually be found in a world of so much conflict and despair, of so much turmoil and trouble?

The great search is on! Multitudes are seeking peace in fame and fortune, in pleasure and power, in education and knowledge, in human relationships and marriage. They desire to fill their heads with knowledge and their purses with wealth, but, their souls remain empty. Others are seeking to escape fromt he realities of life in drugs or alcohol, but the peace thy seek eludes them. All their seeking only takess them ina visiour circle of frestrations and futility. They are afraid of what they may discover. They would like to blame troubles world for their troubled minds, but, the cure must begin within their very own hearts.

Man in Turmoil....

God created man and places him in a beautiful garden to enjoy perfect peace, joy, and happiness. but when Adam and Eve disobeyed, they were at once stricken with guilt. When before they had longed for the presence of God, they now hid themselves with shame. Guilt and fear replaced the peace and happiness the knew. Here was the beginning of a troubled world, your security and confidence are shaken. Your peace has been disturbed.

Sin has seperated man from God. (IS> 53:6 and Romans 3:23). Guilt, fear, irritation, resentment, selfishness, nad other hostile impulses plague man whereever he goes. They bring weariness and mental exhaustion.

The love of yourself was at the root of the first disobedience of man. It continues to be one of the bassic evil inclinations that take you down the path of despair and heartache. When you become self-centered in your wants and ambitions you become anxious and fretful. The longer you travel the path of selfcenteredness, the more troubled you become.

A God centered life brings Peace

Instead of seeing yourself as the center of existence, you need to turn to God and make Him your central purpose in life. Without God as your center, you fall prey to petty worries, self pity, fears and anxiety.

With God in the center, every area of your life will reach out from the "hub" like spokes in a wheel and make your life complete and worth living. Only a heart centered in God can be kept steady and peaceful.

The Psalmist declares, "My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed, I will sing and give praise(Psalm 57:7).

With his whole trust inGod, he could rejoice in quietness of mind. With our hearts fixed on God, we have inward peace in the midst of outward situations. It is possible to "...be troubled on every side, yet not distressed...perplexed, but not in despair"(2 Co. 4:8).

We will continuee this tomorrow morning...

Love to all...

Terri