How to have peace in troubling times

In today's world trouble is escalating at an alarming rate; The economy is in trouble and people don't know where to go for help. The healthcare system seems to care more about money than people and people have become frustrated to the point where they even resort to violence. Families are being torn apart and the divorce rate continues to skyrocket. Yes these are troubling times, and for the Christian this really should not be a surprise because Jesus already predicted that in the world you shall have tribulation (trouble), but be of good cheer for I have overcome the world! we also find written in the book of Job that man that is born of a woman are a few days and full of trouble. Being a Christian does not exempt one from trouble, but it does qualify one for the peace that passes all understanding that keeps one's heart and mind by Christ Jesus (Philippians4:6). Job was one that was perfect and upright, he feared God and eschewed evil; this was God's own testimony of Job...and yet Job went through unbelievable trouble. He lost ten children at once along with livestock and health, even his marriage was in trouble because his wife told him to just curse God and die! but in the midst of all of this turmoil, Job kept his integrity and did not charge God foolishly. Many people lose integrity and commit awful acts and justify them because of the position trouble has put them in; for example one unfortunately may lose their job and justify their actions to become a thief. What ever position trouble has left one in...God has peace that carry's one through the storm until the other side of the problem emerges where like Job, he received back twice as much as he had lost. He even received back seven sons and three daughters! the exact number as well as gender.

Shalom

The word for peace in the old Testament comes from the Hebrew word Shalom and it is first of all a condition of freedom from disturbance; when a person is at home or at work and they do not wish to be disturbed...they may put a do not disturb sign on the door that gives would be intruders a hint to stay away at the moment. Peace is the "do not disturb" sign that guards outside distractions from gaining entry, and it protects a persons heart and mind from being bothered and disturbed by life's troubles. These troubles do not need to gain entry into a person's life because it is not the will of God because Jesus said to be of good cheer for he had overcome the world. This overcoming makes it possible for a person to have freedom from disturbance from family and financial pressures, employment and relationship problems, etc. because trouble does not have a legal right to trespass a persons heart and mind who live by God's Word. This peace is not automatic, but it must be activated by faith and obedience to the word of God; for example a person is instructed to think on things that are lovely true honest pure and just if there is virtue and praise according to Philippians 4:8, but if a person chooses to think on the opposite things that are depressing and sad...then peace cannot be activated because of disobedience to Gods word and an unwillingness to be responsible with one's thoughts. Freedom from disturbance is available through peace to protect from an outward perspective from people, enemies, as well as to protect the mind will and emotions from an inward perspective.

Prepare in advance

Be careful for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God , and the peace which passeth all understanding shall keep (guard) your heart and mind through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6)

To be careful for nothing means to not worry or be anxious about what hasn't happened yet. Many people worry about what may not even happen and it is based on fear that is the birthing place for this type of anxiety. One way to have peace in troubling times is to prepare in advance for what is expected down the road. It is obvious that peace will be disturbed if a bill is due the 24th and it is the 23rd with no way of meeting the deadline or one continues to procrastinate by focusing on less important issues. God told Noah to build an ark because it was going to rain, and because he obeyed God ...he and his family (eight souls) had peace during the storm because they prepared in advance.

In order to have peace in troubling times one must pursue on a spiritual level as well as on a practical level because there are some things that only God can do.It is then the responsibility of the effected person to pray for wisdom on how to deal practically with their problems. Prayer also brings peace even while the trouble may still be going on because peace is needed on the inside in order to deal wisely with what is going on.People cannot understand how two people having the same problems can turn out so differently because one person may have a smile while the other has become depressed from the same type of problem. It is this peace that passes all human understanding that keeps hearts and minds from being troubled. Jesus said to come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest, coming to Jesus in prayer brings rest and peace which is a physical clue that something is finished in the heart and mind of a person.The problem may still be happening, but as far as the person is concerned, it is finished because they have a faith that says God is in total control and he is going to work all things together for good in this situation!

We all have problems where peace is needed in our lives,below I have search out what I believe are helpful links for the hurting person or family from a biblical perspective:

1. Trying to fix the problem without the Lord's help

   In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths (Proverbs 3:6)

   I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help, my help cometh from the Lord which made heaven and earth (Psalm121:1)

2. Thinking wrong thoughts:

   Finally brethren whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things (Philippians 4:8)

3. Not standing up for what you really believe based on the Word of God

   Let God be true, but every man a liar...(Romans 3:4a)

   Standfast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage ( Galatians 5:1)

4. Refusal to believe God and his word:

   But without faith it is impossible to please him for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him ( Hebrews 11:6)

5. Not believing in oneself or one's abilities:

   I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me (Philippians 4:13)

6. Wrong speaking:

   Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt that ye may know how to answer every man (Colossians 4:6)

   A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger (Proverbs 15:1)