We all desire a peaceful, prosperous, and joyful future. How do we get there? Do we leave it to chance?
Be intentional, pursue peace.
Hoping for a good life without putting forth effort is like daydreaming on a rocking chair. Lazy motions but no progress.
Three Biblical principles show us how we can work towards a brighter future.
- Keep your tongue from evil deceit.
Speak the truth. When you lie, every cell in your body experiences stresses on some level. When you lie frequently, that body stress intensifies. When guilt sets in, it can be so heavy that it takes its toll on your body in the form of headaches and other physical problems. When lies become exposed, it’s realistic to believe that you will lose relationships you love and cherish. Satan is the Father of lies; it is best not to imitate the devil.
Speak the truth in love. Jesus is full of truth.
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 (NIV)
God is Love.
“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.” I John 4:16 (NIV)
When we want to walk in truth out of love for God, good days are ahead. This means being kind and thoughtful in the words that you choose. Let your words convey your love and that you want the best for the person that you are speaking to.
- Depart from evil and do good.
There is no way you can tread water or be stationary with God. Either you are moving forward or you are losing ground. When you stop doing good – you start doing bad. If we stop exercising our physical bodies, it atrophies, and we are weakened. The same is with our spiritual life. If we don’t exercise our spiritual muscles, we lose spiritual ground.
“Jesus replied, ‘No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.’ “Luke 9:62 (NIV)
Keep pursuing godliness. Be intentional about being kind. Look for those that need encouragement, help, or a friend. Seek approval from the one that teaches us to “love our neighbor as yourself.” You will be amazed at the difference you can make in someone’s life.
- Seek peace and pursue it.
“Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.” (Psalm 34:14)
The world we live in is full of conflict. Conflict in families, between colleagues, neighbors, and politics.
Jesus prays for us because He knows this world will be brutal to live in.
“I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world but that you keep them from the evil one. Are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.” John 17:14-16 (NIV).
We don’t need to worry about the world; let us focus on relating peacefully in our circle of influence. People may hurt us, but we can forgive them. People are selfish, but we can be generous. When people are angry, we can be polite.
These steps are not easy, but God knows those seeking to walk in His will, and He will give them the grace and strength to do it.
