Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Honestly, is it hard for you to wish someone a Merry Christmas this year when it doesn’t feel merry?
All of us have been through one of the most difficult and strangest years of our lives. We will never forget 2020, but we can heal from it because our Lord and Savior came to heal the brokenhearted.
Because HE lives, we live. John 10:10 TPT Jesus says, “A thief has only one thing in mind–he wants to steal, slaughter, and destroy. But I have come to give you everything in abundance, more than you expect–life in its fullness until you overflow!”
One of the primary gifts Jesus gave us is PEACE. He was born the PRINCE OF PEACE. Isaiah 9:6 prophesied of His birth. It says …
A child has been born for us;
a son has been given to us.
The responsibility of complete dominion
will rest on his shoulders, and his name will be:
The Wonderful One!
The Extraordinary Strategist!
The Mighty God!
The Father of Eternity!
The Prince of Peace!
If you’ve asked Jesus to be your Savior, then the Prince of Peace resides in you! Peace is here!
We already have peace, so we must learn to practice peace. Our trying, difficult, and even traumatic situations will never go away as Jesus said, “And everything I’ve taught you is so that the peace which is in me will be in you and will give you great confidence as you rest in me. For in this unbelieving world you will experience trouble and sorrows, but you must be courageous, for I have conquered the world!” (John 16:33 TPT)
Jesus modeled how to practice peace in the midst of a chaotic world. The enemy steals our peace by filling our thoughts with fear, anxiety, worry, and stress.
These past four months has been one of the most difficult and stressful times I’ve experienced in my lifetime. And here’s what the Lord has taught me on how to have peace in the midst of the storm.
1. Repent and forgive quickly.
When we repent for sins and ask for forgiveness, it restores us in right relationship with God. All throughout the Bible we’re told not to fear, not to worry, and not to be anxious. So those are sins.
Let’s be real … If we dwell on fear-filled, anxious, or worrisome thoughts, then sin has enter our lives.
Also, so we will be forgiven, we need to quickly forgive others who cause an offense.
I’ve been repenting and forgiving on a daily bases for my thoughts that do not line up with the word of God. Sometimes, even two or three times a day! This is not a one time deal, but an over and over deal until the cycle breaks. I’m still a work in progress.
By doing this first step, we close the door on the enemy and his legal right to our lives to steal our peace.
2. Remember we have authority in Christ Jesus to renounce those spirits and command them to leave.
“For God will never give you the spirit of fear, but the Holy Spirit who gives you might power, love, and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7 TPT).
3. Keep our thoughts fixed on the things of God and renew our mind with the Word of God.
The thoughts we dwell on will eventually become words. What we say will eventually become an action. We must keep our thoughts on the Lord so we follow HIS will for our lives.
“Perfect, absolute peace surrounds those whose imaginations are consumed with you; they confidently trust in you” (Isaiah 26:3 TPT).
These actions have been working for me to activate the peace that is already within me even in the midst of some of the most difficult times in my life. This is not an all inclusive 3-step plan, as there’s no three step program with the Lord. The Holy Spirit guides us and directs us in His truth. Seek HIM first above all things–including fear, anxiety, and worry–and HE will lead you to HIS peace.
As you remember the Savior’s birth this Christmas, remember His name is Prince of Peace. Peace came and resides in you! Peace is here!
Christmas blessings to you and yours!
