Guard Your Peace

​I wrote this piece on July 13, 2020. I feel I should share it again as your and my peace is at stake every day during these unsettling, troubling times in America.
Covid-19, frightening civil unrest, unbridled chaos, brazen lawlessness and disorder, malicious violence, senseless destruction and hateful, spiteful divisiveness is disrupting peace in our culture.
Lately I have found myself extremely ticked off, torched, incensed, infuriated and madder than a hornet concerning what many misguided, anti-American people are doing in an orchestrated attempt to destroy the United States of America as me, you and many country loving patriots of our republic have known it.
I have been upset before in my life. You probably have too. This angst I am experiencing has risen to a level that I am concerned about. Why? Because it is trying to steal my peace.
I do not like the me who can get so upset. An edgy, irritable, short-fused, hard heart is not my desire. Backlash and payback are not the name of the game for me.
Indeed, there is justification for what the Bible calls righteous indignation and anger. God Himself has been angry more than once with humankind. God loves us. Christ’s cross proves it. But there are things that God hates and gets His holy dander up. I am certain the Almighty is not very pleased with some in our society who are rebelling with malicious intent against everything holy, sacred, moral, authoritative, historical, reasonable, wise and plain old common sense.  
While in my hide-away place of prayer last week, the Holy Spirit (after I informed God how teed off I was!) quietly said to me in my heart “Steve, guard your peace.”  In that serene revelation moment, I reminded myself that my Lord and Savor Jesus paid the ultimate price for my peace.
As the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ is my peace. It is important to my spiritual, emotional, mental, physical and relational health that I never take the Lord’s peace lightly and that I guard the peace I have graciously received from Him.
Peace in our hearts, sprits and minds is vital to a Christlike, God-honoring, healthy, prosperous, successful, blessed and satisfying life.
Peace disrupters do not give a rip about Steve Roll’s peace. But, as a Christian, I do.
As He prepared to go to the Cross, Jesus said to His faithful followers “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” John 14:27. Note: Jesus’s peace would be their peace; therefore, they did not need to be afraid or troubled in their heart. The world’s peace is false. Christ’s peace is true peace.
Writing from a dark, damp, depressive jail cell, awaiting the executioner’s sword, Paul wrote in Philippians 4:7-8 “The peace of God which passes all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of a good report,, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things.”
Amazingly Paul experienced joy in jail. Thirteen times the word joy or rejoice is referenced in the book of Philippians.  Paul’s joy was based on Jesus’ presence and peace in his mind and heart. How could Paul, facing death, be peaceful and joyful?
He guarded (the word means fortress) his heart and mind. He built a spiritual/emotional fortress/wall around his thoughts and emotions.  Paul set a watch over his life to protect the peace of God which came from the “God of peace” (verse 9).
He also instructed and encouraged believers what to think on. Note the list of “think on these things” is totally opposite of what is happening in our streets, newscasts, political pontifications and combative “conversations”.  If we focused our thoughts on “these things” our day would be much more peaceful!
Guarding our peace does not mean that, as Christ’s followers, we compromise truth, we cower or cave into evil pressure, click our life on silent mode, or stick our heads in societal sand. Not at all. May it never be. Godly, peace-filled folks who know Jesus Christ are the ones the spiritually lost, ungodly, evil, confused, misled people in our culture need to hear from.
How will people who do not have the peace of God in their heart receive it unless God’s peace-filled people share the Good News with them?
When given opportunity, pray it up, stand up, speak up to share Jesus Christ from a peaceful heart.  
Pointers Worth Pondering for Guarding Your Peace

• Walk daily in the peace of Jesus Christ. God keeps those in “perfect peace” whose mind is stayed on Him and who trust in Him. (Isaiah 26:3).
• Tune out. Turn off all negative media. Turning off peace disrupting news and sensationalist, agenda- driven, truth twisting journalists and power motivated political pundits will do you a world of good.  
• Get off Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for a while. You will be amazed how peace will fill your heart when you shut off the “noise”.
• Find something to laugh about. Really laugh. A big old belly laugh reduces stress and will help you keep your peace.
• Choose to resist and reject anything or anyone who disrupts your peace. No matter who it is, relatives, friends, co-workers, church members, pastors, celebrities, media darlings, political personalities, stay away from people who get your dander up in a not so good way!
• Fill your spirit with peace by feeding on God’s Word. Read, study your Bible. Listen to wise, discerning, reputable biblical preaching and teaching. God’s Word always brings peace to the seeking heart.
• Surround yourself with fellow peace guarders! Fellowship is two fellows in the same ship. Only sail on the sea of life with those who guard their peace and help you guard yours.
• Always, thank God for peace that passes all understanding, is incomprehensible and comes through your relationship with Jesus Christ.

Someone has said “No Jesus. No peace. Know Jesus. Know peace.
Rest assured that Satan, the world system, ungodly people and even immature, professing Christians will attack you and me, seeking to disrupt and steal our peace.     
 If you and I do not guard our peace, nobody else will. Guarding my peace is my responsibility. So, Steve Roll is doing his best to guard his peace.
My friend, keep your peace guard up!
“Finally, brethren, farewell. Be complete, be of good comfort; be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.” II Corinthians 13:11
A Word For Your Week: You are the guardian of your peace.