Our Mind and Thoughts Determine Our Experience with Peace
If you are interested in experiencing more peace, then begin paying attention to the thoughts and perceptions of your mind. If you want to experience more peace, consider these ancient instructions …
"You (God) will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you [those whose minds are steadfast], all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the Lord always…" (Isaiah 26:3-4).
I personally use specific, customized "pillars" of belief by which I choose to perceive my life circumstances through. Such as,
"Everything is always perfect, even if in an imperfect way; all things are good because all things work toward the culmination of good" (Romans 8:28).
If we can keep our thoughts and emotions aligned with these types of perspectives, as often as is possible, we will begin to experience a more "heavenly" life experience.
Although these types of thoughts (beliefs) may not appear to be logically true for every scenario, such beliefs can help our minds begin aligning with the wisdom and peace of God that exists in our spirit. A wisdom and peace that ultimately transcends our logical capabilities.
Here is another perspective ("pillar of belief") that I attempt to use when I notice that my thoughts and emotions are not aligned with peace, love, joy, or faith.
"Everything is fine as it is, and if anything needs to change, it will change. Right now, at this moment, everything is occurring as it should. I will trust God, knowing that all is perfectly unfolding as He has determined. And, from this place of peace and stillness, if anything were to arise that creates a need or requires an action, those needs and actions will be perfectly met and taken care of. God supplies all that I need. And, at this moment, all is as it should be."
While perspectives such as these can appear extreme, and even illogical to our current perspectives, knowledge, and understanding, these types of beliefs can assist us with experiencing peace.
Peace can be thought of as an energy or emotion. Peace is a good description for the energy or emotions we feel when we perceive that we are safe, we are loved, and that our needs are met. In the moments we perceive that we are unsafe, not loved, or have needs that are not met, we experience varying degrees of energy or emotions that contrast with peace. Living a life with more mental and emotional experiences of peace requires that we align our mind, thoughts, and perceptions with the type of thinking (beliefs and perceptions) that the energy of peace flows through.
My personal belief is that love and peace are always present, and flow from within our spirit. However, peace and love are only experienced within our mind and emotions when, and to the degree that, our minds (thoughts, beliefs, and perspectives) align with the thoughts, beliefs, and perspectives of our spirit. For example, our spirit does not fear, worry, or have anxiety. Therefore, when our mind has thoughts, beliefs, and perspectives that allow fear, worry, or anxiety, our minds are unable to make a connection with our spirit. They are "out of alignment", or functioning from different "operating systems" and therefore are incompatible with each other.
To experience the flow of peace and love in our mind and emotions we can simply scan through our current thoughts, beliefs, perspectives, and emotions to discover where there is a disconnect. Our spirit, which peace and love will flow from, can only connect to "higher" thoughts, beliefs, perspectives, and emotions. This is probably why Paul, in the book of Collosians, instructed us to "clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." When we choose thoughts, beliefs and perspectives of compassion, kindness, patience, etcetera, these "higher" thoughts and perspectives are in alignment with our spirit. Peace, love, and even creative solutions for difficult scenarios, can flow through these attributes and chosen perspectives.
In Collosians 3, Paul goes on to say, "Bear with each other and forgive one another. If any of you have an issue with someone else, forgive. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."
When we align our minds and emotions with these "higher" perspectives and attributes, we will experience peace. We won't even have to ask for it. Peace just comes into our mind and emotions when we get on the same operating system.
I believe this is why Paul concluded this section of instruction with, "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace" (Colossians 3:12-15).
When we have aligned our minds, thoughts, emotions and perspectives with the mentioned attributes (kindness, compassion, patience, etc) and with "higher" perspectives and thinking, we are simply "letting" the peace of God flow into us. This process I am trying to explain is equivalent to plugging your phone charger into your phone. When the phone and cable are correctly aligned, and the two are connected, we simply "let" the energy and power flow. Similarly, "let" the peace of Spirit flow in and through you.
Paul mentioned that we were all called, destined, and invited by God, into a life experience of peace. We have been called to peace. And that peace is sitting in our spirits waiting for us to connect ("align") with it. If you want to align with your spirit, if you want to be functioning on the same operating system so that the peace and love within your spirit will flow into your mind and emotions, then pay attention to your current thoughts, beliefs, and perspectives.
Keep your mind (thoughts) on God. Trust Him, no matter what (Isaiah 26:3-4). Choose compassion toward yourself and others, even if they appear to be your enemy. Whether you are frustrated with yourself or someone else, choose kindness, humility, gentleness and patience in your perceptions and judgements (Collosians 3). "Keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honorable and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind. And fasten your thoughts on every glorious work of God, praising him always"
(Philippians 4:8 TPT).
Don't be unaware of the enemy's tactics (2 Corinthians 2:11). The enemy wants to keep us disconnected from Spirit; from the life of peace that God has invited us to. His tactic for achieving this lies within our thoughts, beliefs, and perspectives. Do not continue to think, believe, and perceive things through fear, worry, anxiety, offense, unforgiveness, etcetera. "Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you, but be inwardly transformed through a total reformation of how you think. This will empower you to discern God’s will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in his eyes" (Romans 12:2 TPT).
You are loved, always. You are safe, always. Choose to believe.
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