HOW TO LIVE WITH PEACE OF MIND IN A DANGEROUS WORLD
I come to you today in a spirit of sadness
The other day as I was getting ready to do a video, a notification came across my computer that there was an active shooting in Boulder. I am in Loveland Colorado, not far from Boulder, so of course I tuned in right away. Sadly, there was a shooting at a grocery store in Boulder that left ten people dead. I watched it unfold in the course of an afternoon. Helicopters, dozens of first responder vehicles, SWAT teams, law enforcement swarming the area, witnesses giving their accounts, people unable to contact loved ones, not knowing where they are. A horrific day for so many - a day that will continue to be horrific for those who were there.
Things like this, make us afraid. Afraid to live our lives in a joyous way. Unfortunately, we do live in a crazy and scary world and anything could happen at anytime to any of us. So how do we find peace of mind in a dangerous world?
After much thought and prayer, I have eight suggestions that I hope you will implement.
#1. Get right with God. If you are on the fence about Jesus, get off the fence. Give your life to him now, accept him as your Lord and Savior. Today. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. You do not have to fear death. Should you die, you will be with Him in God’s Kingdom.
#2. Suit yourself up in the armor of God each morning. Paul tells us to do this in Phillipians 4 In this way you will be protected and armed against the arrows of the evil one and his soldiers. Will this save your body from an attacker, that I don’t know. But it will provide you with the armor you need to fend off and fight against spiritual attacks, which can be debilitating and lead you into dangerous and dark places.
Check out this bible study by Priscilla Shirer!
#3. Cast off the spirit of fear.
2 Timothy 1:7
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”
God did not give us a timid spirit. Live your life joyously. The evil one is set on destroying our peace and our joy. He is set on shaking our faith and belief in God so that we turn against him. When you feel fearful, give it to God,
1 Peter 5:7
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
Tell Him you are afraid and ask for strength and peace. He hears you and will help you.
Here are a few scriptures to put in your phone or to write on a piece of paper and carry with you should you find yourself feeling fearful:
Deuteronomy 31:8
“He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Psalm 56:3-4
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
In God, whose word I praise—
in God I trust and am not afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?
Isaiah 41:13
For I am the Lord your God
who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
I will help you.
Psalms 62:1-2
Truly my soul finds rest in God;
my salvation comes from him.
Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
#4 Be mindful and aware at all times of your circumstances. I believe God is with is, always. I also believe he asks us to use our brains to educate our selves. Of course there are situations that happen so fast, any amount of training may be futile, but there are situations that you may be able to circumvent by being aware.
There is book by Jonathan T. Gilliam - Sheep No More, The art of Awareness and Attack Survival
This is an excellent and informative read.
#5 Assert your 2nd Amendment rights. Look some of you are dead set against guns, so this part isn’t going to apply to you. Some states allow you to open carry but many people are more comfortable with concealed carry. If you are so inclined get a concealed carry license. You will be required to take a class before you are able to get your license. But if you are new to guns take the time and really learn how to shoot and know your weapon. Don’t strap on a gun without knowing how to use it! If you want to learn more about the concealed carry and the right to bear arms and how it fits into the second amendment here is a good article for you to read:
#6 Have your life and death in order. This sounds a little morbid, but the more your prepare for your exit from this Earth the more peace of mind you will have. Make a list of daily things that you do that need to be attended to, for your loved ones who live with you. So that they don’t feel overwhelmed should something happen to you.
Such as taking care of a pet, or household bills to pay, or little idiosyncrasies that have to do with the house or vehicle that only you know about. Also, prepare a will, a power of attorney, Directives as to how you want to be laid to rest. I know it’s ghastly, but death is part of life and it is better to be prepared.
#7 When something horrific happens, like a mass shooting, it is human nature to dwell on it, to get as many details as we. We are obsessed for hours sometimes days. My advice to you, is these things grow legs in your head. Give yourself a break - don’t become immersed, for days in the tragedy. Yes. Keep abreast of it. Get updates, but after the initial happening, don’t live there for days, 24/7. Make it a priority to pray for the victims and their families, and that justice may prevail. Know that these are evil acts, perpetrated by the evil one - he wants you to dwell on his work. Dwell instead on God’s Word. Filling yourself with Him, not the works of the devil.
#8 LASTLY, tell your loved ones you love them, and tell them often. Don’t leave each other in anger because the truth of it is, it could be the last time you see them here on Earth. It is not something we want to think about, I know, but it’s true.
I hope some of these suggestions will help you in your daily life to feel more at peace while living here, on the crazy planet.
Until next time, may God bless you and keep you close and may you be filled with his peace.
Joellen
PS: Here is a companion download to this post. It gives you quick reference to the scriptures noted for when you are feeling fearful.
