“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”- John 14:27
“Simplifying our lives means eradicating pockets of fear wherever they lurk.”- Bill Hybels
In Chapter 6 (“From Anxious to Peaceful: Conquering Your Fears”) of Simplify, Bill Hybels observes that while we may have been successful in simplifying significant areas of our lives and look good on the outside, we’re in danger of collapse if fear is running rampant beneath the surface. Yet, Pastor Hybels states, God desires that His peace would prevail in our lives. The author reiterates:
“Fear is the fundamental barrier to peace, and it’s a deal-breaker when it comes to leading a simplified life. Fear is debilitating. . . . No matter how good we look on the outside, we will crumble if fear has seeped beneath the veneer of our lives.”
Peace busters, Pastor Hybels notes, rob us of the peace God desires for each of us. Common peace busters include financial pressure, relational breakdown, unexpected bad news, moral failure, and impending mortality. Job loss, whether expected or unexpected, certainly fits in here.
What do you do when peace busters crash into your life? Do you rationalize that you’re a natural worrier or resign yourself to living with low grade anxiety and fear? Pastor Hybels encourages that you can live in shalom regardless of the peace busters threatening to undermine your life.
Today’s question: What are the major peace busters in your life right now? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Constructive fear”
