Do you ever feel like Neville is preaching directly to you? Well, it happened to me again as Neville preached about “anger” this past Sunday.
Proverbs 14:29-30 (NIV) “29 A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly. 30A heart at peace gives life to the body…”
A quick temper can be like a fire out of control, it can burn us and everyone else in its path. Anger divides people. It pushes us into saying things we don’t really mean; it creates anxiety and causes bitterness in relationships.
Peace is defined as, “a state of calm; freedom from strife or discord; harmony in personal relationships”.
As Kyle mentioned in his prayer, we can never totally avoid strife in the world around us, but with God we can know perfect peace even in chaos.
Isaiah 26:3 (NLT) “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You!”
As Christians, when we are devoted to Him, our whole attitude should be of “peace, patience, kindness, gentleness and self-control”, not quick temperedness and angriness!
God’s peace is different from the world’s peace. True peace is not found in positive thinking, meditation, or in good feelings.
Philippians 4:7 (NLT) “Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
It comes from knowing that God is in control. Supported by God’s unchanging love and mercy, we are not shaken by the surrounding chaos. Do you want peace and patience? Keep your thoughts on and your trust in God.
2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NLT “Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you His peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all.”
