If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. 2 Cor 5:17
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Go to the source! Discover what the Bible says about …
These pages are designed to aid study or investigation for Christian discipleship through individual Bible study, Cell groups, Home groups, or meeting one to one. The questions could be used alone allowing each person to use their own Bible.
Introduction
God’s peace comes as an overwhelming wave that stills the heart in the midst of anxiety. We know this peace comes from God, for we experience it without having seen the causes of anxiety lifted. We look to our Father in heaven who loves us and is able to give peace in the midst of trial. It is because we trust Him, knowing that He has the power to protect us. Peace is a quality that is most evident by its absence, and the poor behaviour of those who struggle because they are anxious.
Bible Zone
- Jesus promises peace - The world gives trouble, Jesus gives peace.
- Sources of Anxiety and Peace - Thanks to God, a doorway to peace.
- Coming to peace - A personal example
- Peace in Injustice - Jesus at peace in the midst of injustice.
Jesus promises peace to His disciples. He does not promise peaceful circumstances but a divinely inspired peace within circumstances.
- What is it the basis of the peace that Jesus offers?
- What are the circumstances in which this promise will be fulfilled?
John 16:33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world."
Anxiety has many causes. We lose peace when an outcome is both important and in doubt. We fret in over what might happen. One of the products of anxiety is a great difficulty to pray. Our minds are so driven by fear that nothing else is allowed in.
Peace does not come because the threat is less real. Peace comes because we trust God has us in His hands and He is good. Peace does not come from willing ourselves to be peaceful, it is the outworking of trusting the God who loves us, and leaving the outcome to Him.
The Bible speaks to this in the following way -Philippians 4:4-7
- What is the starting attitude that acts as a foundation for dealing with anxiety?
- Being considerate is put under strain by anxiety. What can you do when you find yourself not being considerate?
- How are we instructed to counter anxiety?
- How is God’s peace experienced?
Philippians 4:4-7 4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.
6 Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.7 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.
My experience is, that in giving thanks to God for what could happen I engage with my fears and see my Father who loves me in the frame. Suddenly I am at peace. Even if terrible things happen, I can trust Him to carry me because He is good..
Learning to deal with anxiety while stuck in traffic on the way to catch a plane
We do not passively take whatever comes. The Bible says ask God for everything you need. Our prayers take us from being victims to participants in God’s solution.
When I face injustice how can I trust God and be at peace? We see this in Jesus’ life. He - the King of kings - was under the authority of abusive rulers John 19:6-16 -
- What injustices occur in this trial?
- What is Jesus’ state of mind?
- What state of mind does Pilate, the man in charge have?
- What is Jesus’ attitude to His Father who is not saving Him?
John 19:6 When they saw him, the leading priests and Temple guards began shouting, "Crucify him! Crucify him!"
"Take him yourselves and crucify him," Pilate said. "I find him not guilty."
7 The Jewish leaders replied, "By our law he ought to die because he called himself the Son of God."
8 When Pilate heard this, he was more frightened than ever.9 He took Jesus back into the headquarters* again and asked him, "Where are you from?" But Jesus gave no answer.10 "Why don't you talk to me?" Pilate demanded. "Don't you realize that I have the power to release you or crucify you?"
11 Then Jesus said, "You would have no power over me at all unless it were given to you from above. So the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin."
12 Then Pilate tried to release him, but the Jewish leaders shouted, "If you release this man, you are no 'friend of Caesar.'* Anyone who declares himself a king is a rebel against Caesar."
13 When they said this, Pilate brought Jesus out to them again. Then Pilate sat down on the judgment seat on the platform that is called the Stone Pavement (in Hebrew, Gabbatha).14 It was now about noon on the day of preparation for the Passover. And Pilate said to the people,* "Look, here is your king!"
15 "Away with him," they yelled. "Away with him! Crucify him!"
"What? Crucify your king?" Pilate asked.
"We have no king but Caesar," the leading priests shouted back.
16 Then Pilate turned Jesus over to them to be crucified.
See also Page in Beginnings titled - Peace from God
PEACE
