Living in Peace - Joel Osteen

If you're going to live in peace, it's not going to happen by accident. Every day, we have opportunities to get upset, be offended, and live worried. Life happens. People get on your nerves. Unexpected bills come. A family member may go into the hospital. If you wait for all of your circumstances to calm down in order to have peace or stop worrying; you'll be waiting your whole life. God never promised that He would keep us from difficulties. He never said that we wouldn't have storms. But He did say that He would give us peace in the midst of the storms. He calls it a "peace that passes understanding." That means despite what's going on around you, you still have peace. "The medical report wasn't good, but I'm not worried. I know God has me in the palm of His hand." "I didn't get the promotion that I worked for, but I'm not upset. I know God has something better coming my way." "My coworker was rude to me. I'm not offended. God is my vindicator. He'll fight my battles." You have to protect your peace. You weren't created to live worried, uptight and on edge. This is the reason many people have health issues. They can't sleep at night, their food won't digest or they have ulcers. It's because their mind is never at rest. They're constantly trying to figure everything out, worried about their health, upset about their job or stressed out over the traffic. Your mind needs a break. It wasn't meant to go all the time.

The scripture says, "Cast your cares on the Lord." You have to learn to turn that mess over to God. You weren't designed to carry a heavy load. It will frustrate you. Here's the key: When you rest, God goes to work. But when you work, God rests. If you try to be God, God will step back and say, "Okay, you figure it out. You handle it all, and I'll take a break." But when you come back to a place of peace and say, "God, I trust You. My life is in Your hands. I'm not going to worry. I'm not going to live stressed. You have this all figured out. So, I'm going to be still and know that you are God," that's when God goes to work, and you can enjoy life living in peace!

"Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken." (Psalm 55:22, NIV)