May 6 – Peace Guards Your Heart and Mind

Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:5-7

I was very surprised recently when someone told me that I had a gentle spirit. Me? Well—God has helped me not to be a loud, obnoxious person that was my nature when I was a kid. He has been so gracious to me. I like being a quiet person—enjoying studying God’s Word, quiet music, reading, painting, gardening, an occasional sewing project, walking and time with family and friends. I personally want my life to be like that of Proverbs 3:17…my ways are pleasant ways and all my paths are peace. Sometimes we can’t escape the noise of the world—but we can still have a peaceful quiet heart with a calmness that is encouraging to others and even gives us a deeper serenity for ourselves. 

Peace – it does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart. (Unknown) To have that peace that goes beyond comprehension is a totally God thing—a gift from God that will wrap your heart, that is your very soul, and your mind in the love of Jesus Christ. That love is above all in greatness—flowing from the Holy Spirit Himself. I know—He has filled me with that love and given me a peace that is beyond understanding. Yet it is not a peace that is constantly there—it is sometimes just beyond my reach. And I know that it is sin—a barrier between me and God that sometimes keeps me from His peace. Do you experience that same void at some times in your life? I can only suggest prayer as a way back to God—that is the road I have traveled.
 

Training Tip – Read this scripture passage to your family. Let them design and paint a crest depicting the peace of God, along with the heart and mind of Christ. Different colors have different meanings. For our Western culture they are:

Red: Excitement, energy, passion, love, desire, speed, strength, power, heat, aggression, danger, fire, blood, war, violence, all things intense and passionate.

Pink symbolizes love and romance, caring, tenderness, acceptance and calm.

Beige and ivory symbolize unification. Ivory symbolizes quiet and pleasantness. Beige symbolizes calm and simplicity.

Yellow signifies joy, happiness, betrayal, optimism, idealism, imagination, hope, sunshine, summer, gold, philosophy, dishonesty, cowardice, jealousy, covetousness, deceit, illness, hazard and friendship.

Blue: Peace, tranquility, cold, calm, stability, harmony, unity, trust, truth, confidence, conservatism, security, cleanliness, order, loyalty, sky, water, technology, depression, appetite suppressant.

Turquoise symbolizes calm. Teal symbolizes sophistication. Aquamarine symbolizes water. Lighter turquoise has a feminine appeal.

Purple: Royalty, nobility, spirituality, ceremony, mysterious, transformation, wisdom, enlightenment, cruelty, arrogance, mourning.

Lavender symbolizes femininity, grace and elegance.

Orange: Energy, balance, enthusiasm, warmth, vibrant, expansive, flamboyant, demanding of attention.

Green: Nature, environment, healthy, good luck, renewal, youth, spring, generosity, fertility, jealousy, inexperience, envy, misfortune, vigor.

Brown: Earth, stability, hearth, home, outdoors, reliability, comfort, endurance, simplicity, and comfort.

Gray: Security, reliability, intelligence, staid, modesty, dignity, maturity, solid, conservative, practical, old age, sadness, boring. Silver symbolizes calm.

White: Reverence, purity, birth, simplicity, cleanliness, peace, humility, precision, innocence, youth, winter, snow, good, sterility, marriage, cold, clinical.

Black: Power, sophistication, formality, elegance, wealth, mystery, fear, evil, unhappiness, depth, style, evil, sadness, remorse, anger, anonymity, underground, good technical color, mourning, death.  

Lord God, I will hear what You will say, for You speak peace to Your people, to Your godly ones. Psalm 85:8 I will listen and obey—thank you for Your sweet peace and the gentle spirit that You give to us. 

Additionally, Lord, in Your mercy, please touch and heal children_____who are sick with viruses that are common to little children, but that are worrisome to parents and grandchildren. Thank you for hearing our prayers.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

© 2013 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.