Peace that transcends

This morning during my prayer time I asked God these questions: Where has my peace gone to?  Why am I constantly on a roller coaster of emotions? What is the turmoil I'm constantly feeling in my heart? How do I cultivate peace in my heart again? How do I find it?

I believe this is what He laid on my heart:

"Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near. 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 4:4-7)

These verses tell us to do four things:
1) Rejoice
2) Let our gentleness be evident
3) Don't be anxious
4) Pray and submit our requests to God with thanksgiving.

Then, the scripture says, the peace of God will protect our hearts and our minds.

Rejoice:  to be glad; take delight in; to feel or express great joy and happiness .  The commentary in my Bible says: "Our inner attitudes don't have to reflect our outward circumstances."  So, even though I may be surrounded by turmoil, I can CHOSE to rejoice.  And, if I follow the scripture, I am commanded to rejoice. Always.  Whew.  That takes a lot of effort and energy - especially when I look around with my human eyes and find little to rejoice about.  But, as a follower of Christ desiring to receive the richness that He offers, I must make that choice.

Gentleness: deliberate, voluntary kindness; peaceful; not severe, rough, or violent.

And when I need a reminder that God loves me and desires only good for me, the scripture says:
"And we  know that in all things God worlds for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)

My Bible commentary says "God is not working to make us happy, nut to fulfill his purpose."  Ultimately, my greatest desire is for God to fulfill His purpose in my life.  While I may not always be in a state of happiness, I can rest assured in knowing that God is in control of my life and using all things, good and bad, to fulfill that purpose.   My God's love is undeniable, this I know, this I can rely on, in this I find peace.