Romans 7:15

For I do not understand my own actions (I am baffled and bewildered by them). I do not practice what I want to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate (and yielding to my human nature, my worldliness-my sinful capacity).

We will make mistakes and not always behave like we should as Christians! Jesus is not surprised when we fall short of His example. We must get back up when we fall short and ask for forgiveness and change. As Christians, we realize that Jesus died for the imperfect and will help us in our weaknesses. 

1 Peter 1:8

Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not even see Him now, you believe and trust in Him and you greatly rejoice and delight with inexpressible and glorious joy.

Jesus was our life changer, bringing us out of sin and death. We now have the possibility of hope and a future with someone on our side. We no longer suffer in sadness but can be lifted into joy. We love Him because Jesus first loved and died for us so we can live.

Psalm 37:4

Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and petitions of your heart.

It is good to tell the Lord our love and appreciation for all He does in our lives. Just like we enjoy hearing of love and gratitude for all we do, so does God. God wants to give us the desires of our hearts and answers our petitions because He loves us. Tell God how much you appreciate Him today if it has been a while.  

Proverbs 15:13

A heart full of joy and goodness makes a cheerful face, but when a heart is full of sadness the spirit is crushed.

When we maintain joy in our hearts, we can motivate others positively. It is a positive word that will make a difference for those around us. Not everyone understands what it means to have the love of Jesus for them, but we can shine that light of love.    

2 Timothy 2:22

Run away from youthful lusts-pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those (believers) who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

We must pursue the right standing with God, which takes study and time. The more we know from hearing and reading the Word, the more we grow. Our decisions and mindsets change, and we are healed from our past and mistakes. Every day is a day to grow and learn from God as we pursue our faith.  

Romans 8:6

Now the mind of the flesh is death (both now and forever because it pursues sin), but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace (the spiritual well-being that comes from walking with God-both now and forever).

It all comes down to choices for our mindset and spiritual peace. We will never be satisfied if we remain entrenched in our self-focused sinful nature. When we choose the Word of God and a spirit focused on God over the selfish desires of the flesh, we will enter into peace. It is a daily choice and a constant renewal of the mind that keeps us planted firmly on the Word. 

Colossians 3:12-13

So, as God’s own chosen people who are holy and well-beloved put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience bearing graciously with one another, and willingly forgiving each other if one has a cause or complaint against another; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so should you forgive.  

If we don’t guard our hearts and choose to keep a mindset of forgiveness, no matter the situation, the offense will come. We must maintain a personal attitude of forgiveness and practice forgiveness for ourselves and others. Our minds would turn into a battlefield over a slight that we could have stayed in peace if we chose to overlook. 

Isaiah 26:3

You will keep in perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast (that is committed and focused on You- in both inclination and character).

Because we have free will and can make any choice, our daily peace is in our own hands. Our lives, therefore, shift from being random acts and thoughts to being created by our own decisions. Consequently, we can create peace in our own lives or destroy it. Therefore, choose to have a mind steadfast on Christ and live in peace. 

1 Peter 3:10-12

For, the one who wants to enjoy life and see good days (good-whether apparent or not), Must keep his tongue free from evil and his lips from speaking guile (treachery, deceit). He must turn away from wickedness and do what is right. He must search for peace (with God, with self, with others) and pursue it eagerly.

We have so much control over peace in our lives. It matters how we react and act for our benefit and others when living a stable life. When we set out to guard our mouths and what we say, we cut off many avenues of strife. Peace isn’t going to show up at our door. It has to be pursued and practiced.  

John 14:27

Peace I leave with you; My (perfect) peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled nor let it be afraid. (Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.)

The best way to find peace in an angry and sinful world is to keep the focus on Jesus and the Bible. Let Christian speakers and music flow flood the home and the radio. Jesus sent His peace to us, and we are to receive the peace and keep our hearts from worldly influence. We don’t have to be fearful or troubled with our faith built up in the Word.