God’s peace is power over problems

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. (Isaiah 26:3)

It may seem impossible to release all of your struggles and anxiety and trust that God has a better way to resolve the troubles you face. In all situations, you can’t have one foot firmly planted in this world and one in heaven. You will fall.

When you try to work things out as the world does, you are headed for failure.

Charles Spurgeon, an English preacher, wrote: “You cannot grow in grace to any high degree while you are conformed to the world.”

That which you won’t surrender to God will be the foothold that the enemy uses to take you down. All that you have that is good has been given you by God. There is nothing that you can keep except that which you are willing to surrender.

Jesus calls for us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds and yet that can be difficult to do when you let the influences of this lost world cloud your judgment.

The darkness of these present times can fill you with fear when it seems like God isn’t showing up in time to help you through a crisis.

The lies from hell are being traded for the truth by deceived people everywhere.

Many in our country and in this world are now accepting evil as good.

There is no comfort and rest in a world full of controversy.

Yet, despite the battles that rage all around us, Jesus promised believers that he would fill them with the peace that surpasses all understanding.

That peace only comes by trusting and following the path of Christ.

You cannot seek out the riches and glory of this world and expect that God’s peace will reign in your heart.

I can’t put it more clearly than to say outright that if you live in opposition to the ways of God, you will never be happy.

You will always be searching but never be satisfied.

The true joy that comes only from a relationship with Christ is found nowhere else.

Nothing that you can attain on this earth will last forever or prevent you from dying one day.

But those who seek Christ and his kingdom, all that is good will be added to their life.

As a believer, you understand that death has no power except to release you to be with God in his kingdom forever.

While all will suffer in this life, God works everything for the good those who belong to him.

The temporary struggles you face have divine ramifications as the hand of God uses them to form and shape you into the image of Jesus.

In 1 Peter 5:10, “And the God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”

After you have been through your painful trial, God himself lifts you up and restores you to wholeness.

You can’t lose in the battle you are if you rely on the power that lives in you.

Never surrender up your joy, no matter how dark your situation may appear.

The enemy will try to persuade you that nothing can be done to help you.

God always has a way to take you through it if you will believe and wait on his timing.

God’s power is more than enough for the storms in your life.

No matter where you are, he knows how to keep you in his perfect peace.

Marianne Lordi attends Old North Church in Canfield.