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 Pastor Sam Manyika Tackling the ControVerse
One of the greatest gifts that the Lord Jesus gave to the church is his peace. All external human actions are basically a reflection of their inward condition. It is easy to imagine what an anxiety, fear, suspicion and exasperation filled inward condition will produce. At the same time it goes without saying that an individual or individuals who are experiencing peace within themselves make better friends, husbands, wives, co-workers and are also bound to do well in their individual capacities in all spheres of life.

The definition of peace is “freedom from disturbance.” We live in a disturbed world and are always surrounded by disturbing events and news. Besides the economic challenges we are experiencing as a nation which impact us as inhabitants of this country, there are other threatening issues regionally. The Ebola threat is very real even before the Aids scourge has been dealt with effectively. ISIS, Boko Haram and other extremist groups are causing anxiety and havoc in other countries. It goes without saying that those who live in a disturbed environment invariably also end up disturbed.

When people are in a disturbed state, be it emotionally, spiritually, intellectually, economically or socially they become unproductive, uncreative and are generally of a hopeless, anxious and depressed disposition.

Jesus then tells us within this scenario that he has a “peace” that he is offering us. A “freedom from disturbance” in a disturbed environment that he has for us which is different from the peace that the world has to offer.

John 14:27

27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

The bible prescribes a simple but effective solution to dealing with the internal upheavals we begin to experience as concerned and affected victims of these goings on. PRAYER! Prayer is simply an outpouring or sharing of our fears and concerns with someone who has capacity to reassure us, capacitate us in dealing with the perceived challenges or who just takes control of the situation and normalises it. Our Father God is the only one who can do that. His word tells us to pour everything onto his lap in prayer.

Philippians 4:5-7

6 Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

When we take time to acknowledge and understand God’s awesome power and ability our prayer lives are transformed. Instead of engaging in desperate rantings and “shot in the dark” kind of prayer attitudes we begin to converse confidently with a being whom we perceive to be able to take up what we are failing to carry, solve that which we are failing to solve, meet our needs and satisfy our lack.

As we commune with him there is an exchange, he takes the heavy weight of our shoulders and fills our hearts with peace.

We should realise that there are different types of peace. There is an abiding peace which we can only get from the promises of God’s word by his spirit, then there is a flirting one which may be based on the false promises and assurances we get from fallible and unfaithful man. It is up to one to choose what they give themselves over to. Who are you going to trust or depend on in 2015 and beyond. That is what will determine your peace levels.

Do you know that a study found that some of the most disturbed people are psychiatrists and yet some people depend on them for counsel and emotional sustenance. Are your friends, counselors, job, education, boyfriends, girlfriends not part of the “disturbed” bunch and are imparting a false security and peace on you. Are you not heading for a major emotional crash which you may never recover from. Do you have “the peace” or a false peace?

1 Thessalonians 5:3

3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape

Our only hope is in the constant cultivating of the peace of Jesus that passes all understanding in our lives. This peace is beyond human comprehension and understanding because it keeps one UNDISTURBED in a disturbed environment and around disturbed people and circumstances. It keeps your hope and faith alive despite what may be going on around you. This peace is God’s supernatural way of communicating with us that he is in control.

Let us not take this gift lightly it is a gift with preventive powers. It prevents strokes, high blood pressure and other anxiety and stress driven ailments and calamities. It helps us maintain relationships as it keeps us from exploding in anger and other emotional tantrums which can be very damaging and also career threatening. It allows us to worship God and patiently wait for his solutions. It helps us to enjoy life when around us the voices of disturbance are screaming “it is of no use, there is no hope, there is no future give up”

God’s “peace” is that place, it is also the only CONDITION under which God’s voice can be heard.

1 Kings 19:11-12

And a great and strong wind rent the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; 12 And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire [a sound of gentle stillness and] a still, small voice.

Walk in his peace, deliberately invite his peace into your heart, acknowledge this gift, thank God for this gift and ask for it to fill your heart every day in Jesus Name. Have a blessed and peaceful 2015.