Beyond the BattlefieldSample

Rest and quietness are rare in today’s society. Think through your past day, week, and month. What percentage of it would you categorize as restful and calm? Unfortunately, these concepts feel further out of reach all the time. Yet we find in the peace of God these critical, life-giving gifts. Quiet, rest, and the peace of God aren’t fanciful wishes, nor are they unrealistic for the world we live in. God graciously provides us with an invitation, along with simple instructions, for how we can live a life marked by His peace. When God calls us to something—like a life free from worry—He always equips us with what we’ll need.

We need to turn our worries into prayer. That requires developing a conditioned reflex. We all have natural reflexes—like when we touch something hot and immediately pull back. Then there’s a conditioned reflex, something that becomes natural after we’ve done it so many times. We can’t control our universe, as hard as we may try, but we certainly can pray about it. The next time you’re tempted to worry, pray instead. Turn your worries into prayers. Talk to God about them.