Counselor's Corner: Why is Maintaining Peace So Difficult at Times

Have you had one of those days or weeks where you had difficulty maintaining your peace? Did you truly desire to walk in peace but turmoil, chaos or stressful situations got the better of you? If you answered yes to the above questions, you are not alone!

The enemy can set up situations that push your buttons and work your last nerve! I had one of those weeks last week. As much as I desperately wanted to maintain peace, I blew it, not at first but after the about the 50^th distraction in one week I began to come unraveled. I had already had a long summer and was finally looking forward to having peace again.  As women, we especially have to be more guarded to maintain our peace during our monthly cycles. It can be challenging to have your hormones take you on brief roller coaster ride while concurrently dealing with people and circumstances that make you want to come unglued.

If you are having trouble maintaining the peace that Christ has reassured us we have (not the peace that the world gives), then it is time to check where the enemy has caused a breach in your life and robbed you of your peace.

The enemy will use the same tactics that worked before to get you upset. The way the enemy may “wrap” your package may be different, but rest assured it is the same package. The enemy studies and observes your reactions to what comes your way. If before you lost your peace over a certain situation, then that “package” will be used against you again but it will be wrapped differently so you don’t suspect it could possibly be the same trick.

→Know your triggers!

If you feel your peace is leaving you, step away, walk away, run, turn away and get under the covering of the Almighty Father.

How do you stay under the covering of the Lord and maintain peace during times when you would rather tell someone off or have a temper tantrum?

1.      Observe your body-are your hands clinched, shoulders and neck tense, stomach ailments, or headaches? Your body will begin to tell you that you are losing peace, and stress and tension will replace balance or homeostasis in your body. You will begin to feel when peace leaves you.

2.      If you are reacting to your circumstances- stress and high amounts of adrenal are pumping through your body and you may begin speaking out your frustrations or having thoughts that are ungodly.

3.      Complaining and murmuring replaces thankfulness. Our focus becomes distorted and now we can see through the filter of what the enemy may be doing.

4.      Control is lost-When we lose control it can become an open invitation for the enemy to inflict us with our past sins.

→If you observe any of the above in your life at any time STOP because you cannot win the battle on your own.

·         Get under the covering quickly of God as many times as you have to. If you are at work and cannot leave the office, find a quiet spot like the bathroom stall!

·         Ask God to strengthen you and help you rise above the annoyances, distractions and any stress. Don’t react! The enemy would love to set you up so you can lose peace.

·         Take deep cleansing breaths. Inhale deeply and exhale your breathe slowly at least 3 times and as often as you need to. Breathing deeply relaxes tension in your body and reduces your blood pressure.

·         Write down at least 5 things you are thankful for, this helps get your focus on what is going right in your life.

·         Sit at the feet of Jesus and soak your mind and spirit in worship music.

·         Ask God if He wants to teach you something through your circumstances.

·         Begin declaring victory over your circumstances before you see the breakthrough.

·         Take a warm bath with Epson salt to relax tense muscles and play worship music as you bathe. Sing and praise while you are relaxing in your bath.

·         Wait with expectation that God will come through and restore your peace.