Beech Tree News Network

Recently, I’ve been thinking about peace of mind. It has been defined as a feeling of being safe or protected. Google provided the following synonyms for peace of mind: calmness, comfort, contentment, happiness, and pleasure. In Billy Graham’s “My Answer” column (Daily News, August 30, 2022), the author noted, “Today there’s little personal, domestic, social, economic or political peace anywhere.” 

Many have expressed thoughts about peace of mind. A few of those are listed below:

-For every minute you remain angry, you give up sixty seconds of peace of mind. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

-The measure of success is happiness and peace of mind. ~Bobby Davro

-Negative emotions like hatred destroy our peace of mind. ~Matthieu Ricard

-I can have peace of mind only when I forgive rather than judge. ~Gerald Jampolsky

-Peace of mind comes from not wanting to change others. ~Gerald Jampolsky

-I try my best to take out time for exercise and also meditation, it really brings me peace of mind. ~Shriya Saran

Many books and articles have been written for those seeking peace of mind. The advice often includes such things as thinking positive, letting things go, relaxing expectations, exercising, meditation and/or prayer, getting extra sleep, and practicing gratitude. I believe these things are helpful. And two Bible verses provide some guidance. John 14:27 (NIV) says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” Then Philippians 4:7 (NIV) says, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” God-given peace is a gift – a blessing. 

Thinking about when we experience peace of mind, I asked a few of my family and friends: “What gives you peace or causes you to feel peaceful?” Their responses were:

-Revelations 21:3-7 (KJV) “ 3And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. 6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. 7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.”

-Rocking one of the grand babies.

-Prayer and worship and working word searches and games on my cell phone.

-Riding motorcycles. Any motorcycle.

-The main source of all of my peace is having Jesus as my Savior. A close second is being with my kids and grandkids and knowing that they are happy and healthy. They are the greatest blessing in my life.

-First and foremost, my knowledge that Christ has paid my debt. Second, that I will see my baby again one day. Third, praying for my children and family. And lastly, small things like a completed job, such as mowing the lawn or sitting in a clean house, or knowing I did my best even if no one else noticed.

-Quiet time, thanking God for all His blessings, and remembering I’m never alone.

-Reading devotions or my Bible. Quiet prayer time. Church. Being with my family. Good music, listening to audio books, and pulling weeds.

C. S. Lewis said, “God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.” For me to have peace of mind, I have to be “prayed up” and it’s helpful to know that family members are okay (After all, I am a mom and a granny….). Peace is definitely a blessing.