Philippians 4:6-9 - Getting the Stress Out of Inner Peace

Today I was talking to a coworker of mine. She was sharing about her weekend which included sharing the stress she was feeling in a personal relationship. Listening to her, it became clear that she was not feeling peace at all. In that relationship, she is ignoring what she needs in order to please the other person, and then becoming very upset when her needs aren't being met. She is making it her job to care for the other person and expecting the other person to take care of caring for her. Throw this on top of work stress she is feeling and she is not at peace. Instead of having a balance of times of work and refreshment, she moves from one environment that causes her stress to another.

As I was listening and asking God for wisdom, I was reminded that looking to another person to be responsible for our peace is never going to work. As we talked, I tried to help her identify what her needs were and help her find ways to take responsibility for those needs. In her case, she felt a desire to go out and do things sometimes, not just hang around home. She wanted this person to take her out and do things but this person was content to be very low-key, close to home and preferred to not make plans. This results in no plans and no peace for her.

Have you ever been in need of inner peace? If your answer is no, well...I could would love to hear your story and strategies.

Inner peace is something most of us strive for; although what causes us to feel peace may be vastly different. Some feel inner piece from knowing they are unconditionally loved, some from having financial security, some find it in trust that they will be taken care of and some in being in a safe environment. Whatever it is that causes you to be in a state of inner peace, it is important to recognize that if we base our feeling of inner peace on another person, or even ourselves, it will fail. When it all comes down to it, we screw-up. Some of us less than others, but we screw-up. We make bad decisions, or fail to do something, or do it in a way that brings hurt and harm. As much as we want to be harbingers of peace, we are imperfect.

The good news is that inner peace can be found in God. In trust, in faith, in accepting the gifts of love and salvation that God offers.

I want to share a passage from Philippians four that has always been near and dear to me:

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Two key ideas I find in this passage is the idea of letting go and the idea of holding on.

In the first part, this passage asks us to let go of anxiety. This does not necessarily mean we should let go of those things, but we should release the anxiety. For instance if your are feeling stress from a work situation, release the anxiety. Understand that some things you don't have control over and release those things. For the things you can control, allow yourself to set up and pursue ideals that will improve the situation. This doesn't have to mean leaving the job, just recognizing what you have control over and work to change that and release the stress of those things you can't control
.

This is not an easy thing to accomplish, but by taking little steps, over time, you will find that the situation changes and improves and peace will start to infiltrate that environment.

The second part asks us to hold on to things; things that are good, true, excellent, admirable. That involves looking at the situation and recognizing what is good and worthy. Going back to a work stress, you might start to think about those things involved that are good. Are there co-workers that you connect positively with and/or bring strengths to the work you are involved with. What things about the environment make you comfortable? Have you accomplished some things that you are proud of? Hold onto and focus on those things.

Again, this can be a challenge, particularly if the situation has anxiety attached to it.

Think of that thing which gives you great stress, be open to different and better opportunities if they present themselves, thus giving yourself permission to let go of your current situation if it produces a lot of anxiety. Also give up the idea that the current situation has to stay the same. Some things you will be unable to change, but other things you can. How can you make the environment better? What positive impacts can you have?  This can help you release the anxiety because you are reminding yourself it doesn't have to be permanent. Then consider the positive things about your situation. What ways are you growing? What are the good things about the environment? What is good about the people around you? Hold onto these things! Celebrate them! As you focus on the positive, things will change, if nothing else, your outlook and attitude will change and you will find peace.

You can not expect others to take care of ensuring your peace. Follow the advice from Philippians and let go...and hold on...with God's help, you will find peace.