Today’s reading from The One Year Bible:
A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body;
jealousy is like cancer in the bones.
– Proverbs 14:30
As I read this the other day my heart leaped. That’s what I need—a peaceful heart. There are so many things that come to rob our peace. The world is full of peace stealers. I’ve found that there are people who seem to suck the life out of me and others who tend to breathe life into me. But the truth is, nobody can take my peace away. However, I can choose to give it away.
Renee and I recently went to see comedian Brian Regan. I loved it when he painted a picture of what it would be like to be the president. He said, “Everyday you would be woken up by someone nudging you saying, ‘problems, problems, problems.’ Who wants that job?” But it’s not just the president! It’s every busy mom, it’s the dad who is trying to lead his family, it’s the hard-working business owner.
Renee told me she had a picture for me. It was me being woken up every day by the Lord and He was gently nudging me saying, “peace, grace, mercy.” I love it! Everyday you can choose to walk with a peaceful heart, or you can let somebody else take your peace—but it’s your call. It has become my number one personal goal this year to walk in a peaceful heart every day. Why? Because a peaceful heart leads to a healthy body, a healthy way of hearing, a healthy way of seeing, a healthy way of living.
When you have a peaceful heart, you can become the person who just cannot be offended. The person who forgives more than they judge. The person who prays more than they blame. The victor, not the victim. The person who hopes for the best and defends the rest.
My friend, the Lord Jesus, who is the Prince of Peace, is inviting you to walk the rest of this year with a peaceful heart. Come join me and discover what a peaceful heart can do for every area of your life.
In just a couple weeks, we are going to start a verse-by-verse study of the Book of Mark. Bring your Bibles for this exciting journey.
Now, may the Lord cause His face to shine upon you, may the Lord be gracious to you, and may the Lord give you peace!
Kevin
