Keep Your Peace

Keep Your Peace “Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10 Have you ever noticed how easy it is to lose your peace and joy? You get up every morning expecting things to be bright and rosy, and that everything is going to go your way. However when you experience your first setback, such as a spilled cup of coffee, or experience a traffic jam on your way to work, or a rude waitress, your day becomes frustrating and your peace and joy is instantly gone. When this happens you have just experienced Satan at work in your life. Satan does not want you to be happy, at peace and joyful. He wants you to experience worry and misery wherever you go. This is the atmosphere he thrives in, as if you are miserable, you will not have your mind and thoughts on God and doing good deeds during the day, but rather will be concentrating on worry and the pressures of life. It is so easy to lose our peace and joy, but this is not what God commands us to do. 1st Thessalonians 5:16 “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” We are not just to be happy when things go well, but are also to be happy when things don’t go our way. Happiness in our choice, as we can choose to be happy even when things don’t go our way. When we lose our happiness and joy we are right where Satan wants us, and certainly not obeying God’s command. Think about the things that destroy your peace on a daily basis, and be aware of these when they arise the next time. Don't let Satan ruin your day and destroy your happiness. Resist, and let God control your life. When your peace and joy is gone, your strength is completely sapped, however you can rely on God to take control and restore your happiness, “for the Joy of the Lord is your strength.” Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven February 22