seek peace and pursue it

Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.  He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.
I Peter 3:10-11

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.  John 14:27

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, 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.  Philippians 4:6-7

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.  And be thankful.  Colossians 3:15

I've been longing for peace.  If you look at the news, it won't take long to see that the world is filled with strife and hatred and fear.  If you looked inside my head and my heart this week, you would see fear and anxiety and striving to "fix" and figure out the things in my life that are weighing on me.  None of it is within my control, but the gears of my brain still churn at night worrying and trying to figure it out.  That doesn't give me peace.  The world certainly isn't going to give me peace.

I have a choice.  (Check out the italicized words in the verses above.  They clearly indicate the necessity of choosing peace.)  I can sit in the rocking chair of worry...using up my energy fretting about my worries but not accomplishing anything except making myself more anxious.  Or I can seek and pursue the only Person who gives peace that is beyond my understanding.  It's a no-brainer...think about the things that cause me fear or think about Jesus, who loves me and gives me divine peace.  And yet, I still find my brain dwelling on everything but Jesus.

When I feel a knot in my stomach, I find myself whispering, "Jesus, I need You.  Jesus, I trust You.  Thank you for working in all things for my good."  (Romans 8:28)  And sometimes that is all I can do.  No eloquent words are needed.  Jesus knows my heart.  I only need to fix my mind and my heart on Him.  When I choose wisely, the peace of God fills me up.  I can't find that peace anywhere but from Jesus and His peace is worth seeking and pursuing!