Tag: peace

The Peace of God in Our Finances: Letting Go of Financial Anxiety

The third fruit of the Spirit is peace—a deep sense of inner contentment and calm. Peace of mind stands in stark contrast to worry or stress. We experience peace when we feel safe and secure. However, in today’s world, feelings of peace can be rare and short-lived. We find ourselves worrying about our family’s safety and health, job security, political turmoil, and, of course, whether we have enough money to meet our obligations.

Money is consistently one of the top causes of stress. In fact, a recent study revealed that 70% of Americans report feeling stressed about their finances, and 90% say that thinking about money causes them anxiety. But God does not want us to live in fear or anxiety about money. He desires for us to have peace, no matter our financial situation.

True Peace Comes from God

The first step in experiencing peace is recognizing that only God can truly supply all of our needs. As Philippians 4:19 reminds us:
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”

When we bring our needs before God in prayer, He listens and responds in a way that aligns with what’s best for us. Philippians 4:6-7 encourages us:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

As we bring our needs to God and trust Him to guide us, we begin to experience the true sense of peace that comes from knowing Christ as our Savior and recognizing God as our ultimate provider.

Money Cannot Give Us Peace

It’s also crucial to acknowledge that no amount of money can provide lasting peace. A 2024 study found that the average American household believes they need an annual income of $186,000 to feel financially secure. However, the most recent Census Bureau data shows that the median household income is $78,538, with only 10% of households earning $186,000 or more. This means that the vast majority of Americans feel insecure about their financial situation. It’s no wonder that many experience stress when they think about money.

Even those whose income greatly exceeds $186,000 often admit feeling financially insecure and wishing for “just a little more.” King Solomon understood this idea when he wrote in Ecclesiastes 5:10:
“Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.”

True peace comes not from accumulating wealth but from trusting in God, who provides for our needs.

Money Is Fleeting

Even if you have accumulated enough money to feel financially comfortable, it’s important to remember that wealth can be lost in an instant. A stock market crash or economic downturn can wipe out fortunes overnight. Political unrest or war can destroy the wealth of entire nations. Many people have lost their wealth due to bad investments or unscrupulous financial advisors.

King Solomon described this in Proverbs 23:4-5:
“Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off into the sky like an eagle.”

Paul also warned against putting our hope in wealth. He wrote to Timothy:
“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” (1 Timothy 6:17)

We can only feel secure and at peace with our finances when we depend on the Lord to provide for our needs. Isaiah 26:3 assures us:
“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”

A Reflective Question for Your Heart

As you consider your relationship with money, ask yourself: Do I place my peace and security in my financial situation, or am I trusting God to provide for my needs, no matter what my bank account looks like? Take a moment to reflect on whether your financial outlook aligns with God’s call to trust Him fully or if you’re still holding on to worry and insecurity. Let this be an opportunity to invite God’s peace into your financial journey.

The Peace that Passes Understanding

My mother used to love to tell the story of how I came home from Sunday school when I was five talking about “the peas is pass is.”  She was quite puzzled and was unable to decipher what I was trying to say.  The next Sunday she asked the teacher, who explained that I was trying to say, “the peace that passes.” We had sung the song “I’ve Got the Joy, Joy, Joy” in class.

One of the lines of the song goes link this: “I’ve got the peace that passes understanding, Down in my heart, Down in my heart to stay.”

As a five-year old, I had no clue what “the peace that passes understanding” was. It is a fun catchy song that has stuck with me through the years. Over a lifetime, I have experienced many instances of this amazing peace.

The song comes from Philippians 4: 6, 7, “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (King James Version)

White dove. The dove represents the Holy Spirit, who brings peace into uor hearts.
Photo by M Sidharda on Pexels.com

The New King James Version begins “Be anxious for nothing.”  This exhortation was needed in the days of the early church as followers of Christ faced intense persecution.  They had much to fear, yet Paul admonished them to not live in fear, but to come to the throne of God with their needs and to trust God to meet those needs.

This directive is still pertinent today. We face threats and stress from many sides.  Some threats are applicable to every person who lives: financial stress, health challenges, political unrest, and economic pressures. Other threats are directed specifically at the Church. As Christians, we are under intense pressure to compromise our beliefs and our values in the name of being politically correct. Christianity has not been outlawed as it was in Paul’s day, but Christians are under attack daily.

And God is still the answer. When we bring our trials, challenges, and tribulations to the throne of God, the Holy Spirit fills us with God’s peace.  A peace that does not make any sense—that surpasses our understanding.  In those moments, we know that our lives are in God’s hands. He is walking beside us through each and every trial.

Whatever you are walking through today, do not be filled with anxiety.  Rather, bring your needs to God, with thanksgiving.  God will hear you, and He will walk this path with you.  Then you will experience the peace that the world cannot offer.

Bring your problems, your worries, and your cares to God.  “Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your cares upon Him, because He cares for you.”  I Peter 5: 6, 7

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
 
I thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
 
And in despair I bowed my head:
“There is no peace on earth,” I said,
“For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.”
 
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men.”
 
Till, ringing singing, on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime,
Of peace on earth, good will to men!

 

These words written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow during the Civil War are still true today. Hate is strong and peace is not found in the world. Yet, it is possible to be at peace and to find peace and forgiveness in your heart. True peace comes only from knowing Jesus Christ as your Savior.

Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ as a human baby. Jesus left his home in Heaven and willing came to Earth to live as among us and to sacrifice His life for us. Without Christmas, there would be no Easter—no death on the cross, no resurrection, no hope of salvation.

This is the good news the angels spoke about when they announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds.  “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people.  Today in the town of David a Savior is born to you:  he is Christ the Lord…Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”     (Luke 2: 10 –11, 14)

As you celebrate Christmas in a few days, I pray that the true meaning of Christmas will bring joy and peace to your heart.  If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior, there is no better time to invite Him into your heart.