5 Ways to Have the Peace You Want Every Day
It’s true!
It is absolutely impossible to experience God’s peace when I’m reliving yesterday or pre-living tomorrow. Peace simply cannot be applied to yesterday’s mess nor can it be pre-applied to tomorrow’s worries.
Have you ever
Yeah, me too!
But I’m working on changing that. I truly believe that with God’s help I do not have to sacrifice today’s peace and joy to yesterday’s failures and tomorrows unknowns.
But I definitely need His help.
So, I’m working to apply the following disciplines every day … because I know when I do, well, I have the peace I want!
5 Ways to Have the Peace You Want Every Day
1. Celebrate today like it’s a bonus day.
Rev and I celebrate bonus days. In fact, today is our 4,176th bonus day.
What are bonus days?
They are the days we’ve been blessed to enjoy that were unexpected when he entered the operating room on September 20, 2007, for a pericardial stripping.
What’s that? A pericardial stripping is when a cardiac surgeon chips the thickened and hardened lining off a beating heart. It’s extremely dangerous. We were told the mortality rate, morbidity rate, and success rate
And yet, God gave us His peace that day. And every day since Rev has written the Bonus Day number on the calendar as a reminder to celebrate and LIVE.
This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad today!
Psalm 118:@4
When we are busy treating today like the gift, the bonus, it is … well, it helps us to live intentionally. And intentional living focuses on now, refusing to dwell on the past or on the future.
2. Take every thought captive . . . purposefully reject guilt and worry.
I once read about a great idea that can help me seal today off from yesterday and tomorrow.
It’s called…
Living in an airlock space.
Imagine as you walk into today that the door to yesterday is closing behind you and you can’t open the door in front of you until it’s time to move into tomorrow.
Enter the airlock space with thanksgiving and leave it with repentance. No guilt and no worry.
I’m pretty sure, that’s downright Biblical…
So don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will have its own worries. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:34
3. Do only what you are able to do today.
When is the last time you were able to accomplish everything on your to-do list?
Our lives are loaded with expectations. Some our own … many added by others. We have spouses, children, bosses, and friends we want to please. We’re serving and volunteering and…
It’s impossible to get it all done.
So, remember to manage each day with grace.
It’s okay to say “no.” It’s okay to set priorities. In fact, it’s not only okay,
You may find that it’s time for you to say “no” to some good things so you can fully say “yes” to the most important things.
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Romans 12:2
4. Trust God to meet your needs today.
Have you read the Bible account lately of the way God provided food for the Israelites in the Wilderness?
In the morning, as the dew evaporated, manna was left on the ground. And the people were to trust God by gathering just enough to eat that day. If they saved it overnight it smelled bad and was full of worms. (Exodus 16)
One day at a time … just enough. With the exception of Fridays, when they were told to gather enough for the Saturday Sabbath so they could rest as God commanded.
I love that!
God is able to meet today’s needs. And He will even meet them in ways that make it possible for us to take a Sabbath rest if we trust Him.
I often sense Jesus whispering,
“Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!”
Matthew 8:26
And it’s impossible to have peace when my “little faith” doubts His ability to meet my needs.
But He also says…
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.
Luke 12:31
And…
Look at the birds in the air. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, but your heavenly Father feeds them. And you know that you are worth much more than the birds.
Matthew 6:26
5. Just breathe. Breathe in His peace and breathe out the peace robbers.
I have a dear one who often takes a deep breath and says, “In with the butterflies out with the bees.”
Great visual right?
When the moment is difficult and I’m tempted to make it worse by adding the past and the future, I just have to stop and breathe.
Breathe out frustration, worry, anxiety, guilt, and overwhelm … and breathe in God’s gift of peace by…
- remembering His past faithfulness and provision.
- clinging His promises.
- running to Him in prayer.
When I remember all God has done for me in the past; when I lean on His promises to care for me today and in the future; and when I surrender every anxious thought to Him in prayer … I have everything I need to know He will help me experience His peace through this moment as well.
I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in H
Romans 15:3im . Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
I’ll admit it…
It’s hard to live one day at a time.
It’s hard to let go of yesterday and refuse to worry about tomorrow?
Especially for those of us who are naturally anxious.
But the truth is…
Like it or not, life is lived moment by moment. One day at a time.
So, it’s up to you and me whether we will live one day at a time moments with peace or sacrifice them to on the altar of regret and worry.
The choice is ours.
Steve Maraboli said:
“Although time seems to fly, it never travels faster than one day at a time. Each day is a new opportunity to live your life to the fullest. In each waking day, you will find scores of blessings and opportunities for positive change. Do not let your TODAY be stolen by the unchangeable past or the indefinite future! Today is a new day!”
So will you join me?
Let’s…
- Celebrate today like it’s a bonus day.
- Take every peace-robbing thought captive and surrender it to God.
- Do what we are able to do today.
- Trust God to meet this day’s needs.
- And breathe in His peace.
We can do this! You and I can live one day at a time with God’s help.
And finally, here’s one more question that gives me perspective…
Will this matter a year from now?
It’s surprising how often the answer is, “no!” And if that’s the case, it’s not worth what it’s costing me in peace.
Just wow, Deb! Yes, every day since Danny was in the hospital has been a bonus day. We should be counting, too! Truly, we can only, and should only, tackle one day at a time, seeking God’s will and provision in the present, so we can know His peace.
Blessings!
Oh, Martha, you’ve been there. Enjoy your bonus day today! Praying for you both!! God bless you!
Thank you for this post. I struggle with anxiety after the loss of my husband. I am keeping in His word but trying to juggle everything is overwhelming. Please pray for me for business decisions.
Thank you so much.
I’m so sorry, Shawn! You are going through a very painful time. Praying for you and asking God to pour His peace and love over you. God bless you!
Yes to AIRLOCK SPACE 🙂 and BONUS DAYS with my children. I know how my life was without them when they were in the NICU.
Love you Deb
NICU and ICU days are the kind of days that help me put today in perspective. I remember driving to the hospital for Rev’s surgery … it was still dark outside and people were already on their way to work. I’ll admit I was a bit envious that they were off to a “normal” day. I try so hard to appreciate those “normal” days now. Some days I have to remind myself more than once but it’s always my goal. Blessings and hugs, Diana!
Thank you so much, this has really blessed me at the start of the day. I love the bonus day, when we think of the goodness of Jesus and all he has brought us thru what a joy!
Thank you so very much for your kind encouragement! God bless you!
Great post! I love the encouragement to do what you can today. My cycle instructor says, “Breathe in the good and breathe out the bad.” My daughter’s teacher says, “Smell the roses and blow out the candles.”
I really like both of those sayings, too! Anything to remind us to let go of the physical tension that comes when my heart and mind are not at peace. Blessings, my friend!
I absolutely love this lesson. It has so many examples of what and how to make yourself have the peace of just today. I don’t post often, but I look forward to seeing your post. Have a blessed day.
Thanks so much, Anita! I try to remind myself of this every morning … I only need enough peace for today! Tomorrow isn’t here yet! Thank you so much for your kind encouragement! Blessings!
Amen! Great post and wonderful encouragement.I love the idea of having bonus days with my family! Thank you! Blessings to you!
Sydell
Thank you, Sydell! We love having a reason to celebrate every day! Blessings!
Well this is kind of timely advice for YOU too given the craziness of late. 🙂 I love how God can use our own words to often remind Him of the need to trust. Loved this! xoxo
I know, Nicki! I’ve been laughing about it all morning. I do believe the Lord allows us to live through our words at times to remind us that they aren’t just words … they’re His truth! Love you, friend!
Thanks so much, each time i read any of your writeups, i feel blessed n lifted. Less burdend. Thanks so much for allowing God use uou yo reach out me. Am blessed to be one of your followers. God bless you resl good. Nkyflo
Nkyflo, I am so glad this blessed! Thank you for your kind encouragement … you blessed me!
I love this and appreciate the inspiration! Romans 12:2 is a go-to scripture for me. Bless you!
Julie, I’m so glad it blessed you! Thank you so much for stopping by and for taking a few minutes to say “hello.” God bless you!
Thank you for your beautiful inspiration. It’s a blessing for me and a great start to my day!
Joanne
So encouraging, very motivating. I needed to read this yesterday, but thank God I do today. Praise the lord for people like you.