How to Experience Perfect Peace in Every Trial

When disappointing or frustrating circumstances pop up in the course of my day, the temptation can be to vent my feelings like the Israelites did in the wilderness about their difficulties. (Numbers 11:4-6) Though I can keep my discouraging  feelings to myself, I'd rather be like Jesus, at perfect peace, sleeping soundly while a storm rages around Him. (Mark 4:37-38)

The Botanical Gardens at The Huntington Library

The good news is God's Word tells us how we can experience perfect peace even when we are in the storms of life. Isaiah declares how experiencing this perfect peace is possible for us today:

You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You. (Isaiah 26:3)

When we keep our mind fixed on the Lord—his goodness, His faithfulness, His promises, etc.—God will supply us perfect peace. Furthermore if we keep our mind stayed on the Lord, not allowing our mind to get distracted by the frustrations, disappointments, or worries of life God will keep us in perfect peace. Kept in a state of perfect peace—not just an occasional blissfully peaceful moment in our day, but kept in a state of perfect peace. What would you pay for that? And yet, it is a free gift available to us from God if we will keep our mind stayed on Him, trusting Jesus regardless of our circumstances. Keeping my mind stayed on Jesus as I trust in Him, may be challenging when faced with discouraging distractions, yet  it is such a tiny price to pay for the priceless blessing of being kept in perfect peace.

Keep your mind stayed on the Lord as He leads.  Here are some ways I like to keep my mind stayed on the Lord:

• Write down a Bible promise or other scripture on a 3 x 5 card and carry the card with me throughout my day, regularly reading the verse—thinking about what that verse means for me... in light of any challenges I may face that day. I like to create a new card with a different verse each day. Instead of thinking of a different verse each day, I like to go through a Psalm like Psalm 23, Psalm 91, Psalm 103, or Psalm 121 focusing on one verse per day until you finish with the Psalm. You can do this with any chunk of scripture.

• Listen to an audio Bible or trustworthy Bible teacher in the background while I work.For an audio Bible, I like the Word of Promise. For trustworthy Bible teachings, I like The Word for Today.

• Journal the ways God blessed me that day.  I enjoy re-reading past entries to remind me of God’s goodness and faithfulness in my life, so when trials tempt me to turn my mind away from the Lord and onto my discouraging circumstances I have in the forefront of my mind the many ways the Lord has blessed and helped me. Despite our circumstances we can enjoy God’s perfect peace and like Paul declare, “None of these things move me.” (Acts 20:24)

• S.O.A.P. Journal on a verse or passage of scripture from your daily Bible reading.

• Memorize Scripture. This doesn’t have to be difficult or time consuming. It can be as simple as a verse written on a 3 x 5 card that is regularly reviewed. Again it is easier to memorize a Psalm or other portion of scripture one verse at a time than it is to memorize a number of random unrelated verses. (Check out this interview about a woman who has memorized several books of the Bible)

As we keep the Lord at the forefront of our mind, when trouble comes, we will be able to enjoy the supernatural perfect peace of God. In time, perhaps we will be able to say like Paul, "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." (Phil 4:11)

Until then, “The LORD bless you and keep you. The LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)

Question for you: What are your tips for keeping your mind stayed on the Lord?