Setting Goals to Achieve Peace

The most sought after thing today is 'peace', in the personal life, family life and in the society. In the new year, as people make many resolutions, it is necessary to think and plan for peaceful living.

There may be many ways people think of getting peace, but real peace is eluding mankind ever since the first man and woman rebelled against the creator and lost peace. However, the Heavenly Father of all has not left us without any means of attaining the peace, He always wanted us to have. He has given us some timeless principles to apply to our lives and experience the peace that is beyond human understanding, but possible. Why not make these principles as goals for this new year, to have a life filled with peace? Determine to write and make these your goals to achieve peace in your life.

1. To be Joyful Always: Every body wants to be happy and joyful. But the pressures of life make us often so depressed and hopeless. It is because we depend so much on external things and favourable circumstances to entertain and keep us happy. As conditions change, our feelings also change. We need to focus on the Lord who alone can give us real joy. The Lord Jesus promised that His joy in us can make our joy complete. So as you seek to find your joy in Him, nothing can disturb you, whatever the situation around you! For the injunction we have from the Word of God is to "rejoice in the L:ord always" (Phil. 4:4).

2. To Control Your Behaviour: "Let your gentleness (moderation) be known to all" (Phil. 4:5). Everybody has some good and bad character traits in life. We need to make concerted effort to display our good qualities rather than our bad nature. Of course, our weaknesses are often seen by others so easily. Make plans to learn and improve your behaviour before others. You will be exalted and promoted as you become an example to others by your good conduct.

3. To Pray When Hardpressed: Human life is filled with various experiences including times of pressure and tension when you feel it is too much for you to bear or to accept. Then normally we try to give vent to our feelings and release them on others. Other may not be capable of bearing our burdens or sharing in our sorrows. They may even get disturbed because of your experiences. The only way to find peace in pressure situations and crises is to go to God in prayer. It should happen immediately. The moment you feel pressure on your mind or something disturbing you, go to your knees and pray to the Lord Jesus pouring out your heart and sharing your feelings. You will find release. God's peace will fill your mind and heart. That's supernatural. You can not even understand it! But you can experience the abundant peace. That's very true, because it is God's Promise.
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer...present your requests to God. And the peace of God...will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4:6).

4. To Think On Positive Thoughts: Many of us do not realize the power of thought. As you think in your heart (mind) so are you. Because, thoughts are seeds of action. So, if you fill your mind with good thoughts, your actions will be good. Similarly, if you are always brooding over the failures, negative things and feelings of defeat, you will live in them and nothing better happens. Harness the power of your mind to achieve great things in life by choosing what thoughts should fill your mind. You have a choice. Decide deliberately to, "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." Phil 4: 8).

5. To Practice Whatever Good You Know: Everyday we are learning a lot of things on our own or from others. The world is influencing us in as much as we are open to it. Our heavenly Father helps us to learn the truths of life from reading, hearing His Word, and also seeing it practiced in others' lives. If we are sensitive and open to recieve all the good knowledge coming to us by all these means, we are privileged to put into practice and experience the blessings for ourselves. So, "whatever you have learned or recieved or heard or seen in me (in God's Word & the good examples around you)- put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." (Phil. 4:9).

These may appear so simple, yet they are so powerful and meaningful and very real goals we all need to set for this new year and for all the days to come. They are timeless, proven principles and come with God's guanrantee to see that you get peace as you strive to live by them daily. You will have Peace! Amen.

The Promise for this year is: " For I know the thoughts I think toward you, saith the Lord; of peace and not of evil, to give you an expected end." Jeremiah 29:11.

Be Encouraged.

********************Letter #1 (5.1.2003)************************