Finding Peace During These Troubled Times...Separating From the Stress!

     Many have asked me to explain how I maintain "Peace of Mind" during this time in life when so many things are happening that can cause stress, frustration and turmoil in one's mind, body and spirit. Were it not for my being a born again Christian, I can assure you that there may be no Peace for me at all, but there is always Peace with God. "With God" also means spending time with Him, too, as well as being bound for Heaven through His son Jesus. My basic formula is "NO" secret. The song It is No Secret was written in the 1950's by the late Stuart Hamblen

     ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The chimes of time ring out the news
Another day is through
Someone slipped and fell
Was that someone you?

You may have longed for added strength
Your courage to renew
Do not be disheartened
For I have news for you

It is no secret what God can do
What He's done for others, He'll do for you
With arms wide open He'll pardon you
It is no secret what God can do

There is no night; for in His light
You never walk alone
Always feel at home
Wherever you may go

There is no power can conquer you
While God is on your side
Take Him at His promise
Don't run away and hide

It is no secret what God can do
What He's done for others, He'll do for you
With arms wide open He'll pardon you
It is no secret what God can do

     Contained in God's Word are many scriptures that offer us solace and consolation. Over the years I found that memorizing certain verses has given me encouragement to trust God in all things, and has taught me to stop worrying, when my brain starts working overtime, and fretting about the matters that would other wise drive me crazy.

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. Hebrews 13:5&6
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall 
take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. 
Matthew 6:33&34
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Philippians 4:6
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27
Trust in the Lord with all of your Heart, and lean not unto your own understanding, In all of your ways acknowledge Him and HE shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5&6
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When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.


        So, my question to myself or anyone is this: With all the wonderful and timeless Peace that God offers us in His Word, why do we fret and concern ourselves with matters like?
The News
Politics
Pandemics
Our  Health & Safety
Our Provisions
Other People's activities that are really none of my business
     
     Do I really believe the scriptures, or are they just nice words written in a book? I have to constantly remind myself that God's Word is not a book, but truly a Living Word that the Lord wants to  "live" through us and into our lives. Watching the news and "talking heads" on TV has caused a disturbance in my spirit to the point that I find myself dishonoring God with my worrying, angst, and even anger about matters that are totally out of my reach and control. When this happens, I have become very disappointed in myself, and end up repenting for my lack of Faith. I need Peace; I crave Calm; I trust the Promises of God. So, how do we accomplish the peace and serenity that God offers to us? For me, it can only come by more trusting in Him, and less trusting in what I hear or see on the TV or on the internet; especially if God's Grace is not included. Many have only read part of the Serenity Prayer*, but here it is in its entirety:

God, give me grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed, Courage to change the things which should be changed, and the Wisdom to distinguish the one from the other.
Living one day at a time, Enjoying one moment at a time, Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace,
Taking, as Jesus did, This sinful world as it is, Not as I would have it, Trusting that You will make all things right,
If I surrender to Your will, So that I may be reasonably happy in this life, And supremely happy with You forever in the next. Amen.



*Origin of the Serenity Prayer: Dr. Reinhold Niebuhr 
Dr. Reinhold Niebuhr is universally attributed as the author of what we know as “The Serenity Prayer.” Its dissemination was likely from a diary excerpt from Niebuhr’s student and collaborator Winnifred Crane Wygal. Wygal placed the prayer in newspaper articles as early as the 1930s and then, in a somewhat altered form, in a book of worship in 1940. 
Over the years, different versions of the prayer have been published. The Serenity Prayer can be found in either the common shortened form or the longer, full version with portions of language altered. The most popular version is as follows:
The Serenity Prayer
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.
So, my answer to those who ask,
 What do you do for Peace?" 

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8 

LW
 And for me, beautiful music helps me to think on these things...