“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:7
The things of life can sometimes overwhelm us. Pain or difficulties we have to go through or what is done to us by other people. Traumas, opposition or struggles can sometimes seem to take over. I say “seem” because when we draw in the immeasurable peace and tranquility of Jesus, all those mountains disappear like snow in the sun.
My walk with Jesus has now been about five and a half years, and I can say, I am finally starting to learn more and more to tap into that inexhaustible source of peace and tranquility in times of difficulty or stress. I am increasingly able to crucify my flesh and not allow myself to be drawn into sadness, fear or doubt. More and more I have learned to recognize when I am reacting in my flesh or when I am being attacked. As a result, I am learning more every day to quickly crucify the flesh, break the attacks of the enemy, stand in my authority and to tap into that source of peace that we all received when we invited Jesus into our lives.
What peace that gives! In our weakness He is strong (2 Corinthians 12:10).
When at times I suddenly find myself in a situation that affects me, moments in which I feel sadness or people hurt me, I often think of what David said, he spoke to his soul at that moment:
“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” -Psalm 42:11.
As David spoke to his soul, so we may also speak to our souls. We are no longer a slave to our flesh or our emotions (the soulish part), in Him, we have victory over every situation (Romans 8:5 & 37) Hallelujah!
“Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.” - Romans 8:5
That doesn’t mean that you can never be emotional again or never allow sadness again, that doesn’t seem healthy to me either 😊. We don’t have to pretend it’s not there, we just have to be careful not to become so overwhelmed that it takes over and takes root because those can all be openings for the enemy to bring us back into bondage, a slave of strongholds. We can bring all our problems and sorrows to God, talk about them with Him, and then we can leave them with Him.
Body snatchers
It always helps me to think in pictures, which in this case, makes me think of a bird. Problems, sadness or stress fly over my head. Like vultures, “body snatchers” as we call 
them in the Netherlands. They fly in circles above my head, sometimes they even land on my head! I see them and I feel them on my head. I may still allow all that, but then I chase them away!
them in the Netherlands. They fly in circles above my head, sometimes they even land on my head! I see them and I feel them on my head. I may still allow all that, but then I chase them away!Otherwise, if I let them, they will build nests and make my head their home, they will lay eggs, and before I know it, more and more vultures are sitting on my head.
Well, I’m rambling a bit, but you get my point, LOL.
We are not going to allow nests to be built! We will have to deal with problems, sadness and opposition throughout our lives here on earth; they circling above our heads like the vultures. Some will fly over, but some will try to land. We may learn from God’s power that when they do land, we will not let them nest on our heads.
We need to learn to walk in the Spirit instead of our emotions and our flesh.
God's character
That exceptional peace is part of the fruit of the Spirit.
We humans consist of three parts: a spirit, a soul and a body. Our spirit is completely renewed after our regeneration (2 Corinthians 5:17, Ezekiel 36:26). Our soul is our emotions and senses, and our body speaks for itself 😉.
So, after we have accepted Jesus in our hearts, we have become one with God in spirit (1 Corinthians 6:17). This also means that we have received His character traits from His Spirit!
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
– Galatians 5:22-23
Our born-again spirit will always have these attributes regardless of what we feel in our emotions. Failure to understand this has caused many Christians to think they would be hypocrites to express peace when the truth is, they are, for example, depressed. However, it’s that soulish part that gets depressed. Through our union with Christ in spirit, our spirit will always bear the fruit of ‘love, joy, peace, etc.’
It is actually hypocritical to let our soulish emotions dominate our spiritual emotions. The truth is, our spirit is never depressed, just our soul. When we truly grasp this, we will have the choice of letting the soul depress us or letting the Holy Spirit, through our born-again spirit, release this peace or all other character traits of the Spirit that Galatians 5:22-23 spreaks about.
The situation may still be the same, but our state of mind will change.
Despite the circumstances, we will be in complete tranquility and peace and even joy!
Don’t be overwhelmed
We must learn not to be overwhelmed by all the storms that sometimes rage around us.
What always helps me enormously to get “plugged in” to that peace of the Holy Spirit is; in addition to addressing my soul as David did, and than to magnify God. I start to worship Him, thank Him, sing and dance to Him. This is by far the best remedy for me.
This way, I shift my focus from my problems or storms, to the One who can still the storm;
Jesus!
This helps to no longer focus on your circumstances or your flesh, but rather who you are in the spirit, Who lives inside of you, and Who’s character traits you received!
Fix our eyes on Jesus
Do not be discouraged by all that life can sometimes bring; sadness, storms, problems or difficulties, but take upon yourself God’s peace.
In the spirit you already have it, look for the way that helps you to draw from the Holy Spirit within you.
Try not to look at you circumstances, but keep your eyes on Jesus in everything, He is our Leader and perfecter of our faith!
“fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” - Hebrews 12:2
