Walking in Peace

I like to pray the Word of God. One of my favorite passages is Ephesians 6:10-18, also known as The Armour of God. I have recently slowed myself down a bit and focused on the individual components of the Armour. In a time where we see increasing violence among teens and adults alike, I realize the importance of having our feet shod with preparation of the gospel of peace..

and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. Ephesians 6:15 NIV

How do we walk in peace, especially in such trying times? A coworker mentioned, It’s so scary these days. Someone will ask what you’re looking at and shoot you before you get a chance to respond.

We must walk in the gospel of peace. Peace is the opposite of fear. It’s the opposite of anxiety, the opposite of worry. …God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control]. 2 Timothy 1:7 AMP

When we walk in fear and anxiety, our thoughts and behaviors demonstrate the same. I’ve known individuals who have walked in fear and passed their catastrophic thinking onto their children, who also walk in fear. What do I mean by that? I once worked with a family that refused to board an airplane, ever, because they were afraid of an airplane crash.

Now, I can’t count how many times I’ve been on an airplane, with and without my children. It had never crossed my mind that the plane would crash and that would be how my life ended.

I begged the question, do you drive? I felt it was an adequate question. Statistics showed, at the time anyway, that you were significantly more likely to be in an automobile accident than an airplane accident.

After a little back and forth, they remained unconvinced. Which is perfectly fine.

I later realized that contrary to theories of addressing catastrophic thinking with facts, really, what’s needed is Jesus. Only He can give someone peace and calm in their mind. Only His Spirit can teach us to walk in that peace with ourselves and others.

Mark the perfect (blameless) man, and behold (observe) the upright: For the end (future) of that man is peace. Psalm 37:37 KJV (NKJV)

Walking in peace is a choice. Just as forgiveness, love, and their opposites are choices. One path will lead us to peace, love, and closer to God. While the other will lead us to discontent, distress – more importantly away from God.

As I mentioned, I have recently taken to slowing down and praying about each piece of armor that I put on daily. As I shod my feet with the gospel of peace, I pray that God will direct my steps. This includes leading me away from situations that are not in His will for me – this disrupts that peace that He gives, and leading me where He wants me. I have accepted that this road is not easy street. Rather, at times, I’m lead into the press, other times, the wilderness, at other times, the fire, other times, beside the still waters..

As David realized, God restores us. He is always with us, and He comforts us: He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Psalm 23:2‭-‬4 KJV

*Original Image by Yours Truly