A Peaceful Mind

The Holy Spirit teaches through Colossians 3:15 to "Let the peace of God rule in your hearts."

After presiding over the house and home for a time, a lady discovers that there are many things that go on besides housekeeping. There will be discussions contrasting good and evil, peace and chaos, alertness and neglect, neatness and sloppiness, cleanliness and filth, truth and lies, beauty and ugliness, and much, much more that contrasts what is uplifting and what is demoralizing. This is part of  the purpose of the home: to establish your own beliefs. No matter what the situation, the "rule" can be peace. Whatever the discussion, the  aim is a peaceful end, that does not compromise truth. It is unrealistic and even dangerous not to discuss these value comparisons in the home.

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In this present age, some people have come to accept stress as a prevailing element throughout the day, interspersed with fleeting moments of peace.  In reality the opposite should be true: it is not normal for life to be persistently chaotic; instead it should be generally peaceful, interrupted by fleeting moments of stress. We see this in nature: the land is fairly stable except for occasional earthquakes. It is not a constant fire or storm in one place all the time.  The human body was also designed to have health except for occasional illness. Likewise, the spirit should not be constantly worn out with stress.

Sometimes when there has been a cutting remark or some undermining thing done to a lady at home, she will worry so much about it that the anxiety rules her mind all day long.  Each anxious thought must be consciously and determinedly replaced by the peace of God, or the stress will rule over her. Philippians 4:8 and other uplifting verses can replace these thoughts and rule your mind.

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Troubling thoughts that replay unendingly in your mind can be hard to erase, but there are things you can do that will help. Sometimes the stress of these thoughts will create indigestion or tension around the neck and shoulders.  There are easy remedies for these physical, stress-induced ailments.  Stress can rob you of sleep, and sleep is essential for your health.

For one full day, try reading an appropriate, anti-stress verse from scripture each time a disturbing thought begins to run through your mind over and over.  Write it and put it in your apron pocket where you can reach for it and read it. After it remains in your memory, recite it mentally each time a negative thought begins to rule your mind.

For this one day, "tell it to Jesus."  You may find yourself praying every minute but it will bring good results to your heart. Soon prayer will be occupying your mind, and the peace of God will rule, govern and be the primary resident in  your heart.  When something "rules" your mind it occupies it, governs it.

Are you weary, are you heavy hearted?

Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus.

Are you grieving over joys departed?

Tell it to Jesus alone.

Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus,

He is a friend that’s well known.

You’ve no other such a friend or brother,

Tell it to Jesus alone.

Do the tears flow down your cheeks unbidden?

Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus.

Have you sins that to men’s eyes are hidden?

Tell it to Jesus alone

Do you fear the gathering clouds of sorrow?

Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus.

Are you anxious what shall be tomorrow?

Tell it to Jesus alone.

When a person loses their peace of mind, it is possible  they have given themselves over to be ruled by something else. Let us guard our minds from being controlled by those who are jealous of us or who want to control our lives in a way that is not in accordance with God's rule.

When a lady has a long-time habit of worrisome thoughts, it may take awhile to re-train her mind, so here are some instant things she can do:

-Start the homemaking day by getting ready in a professional way with clean, pressed clothing that looks good and makes her feel inspired and happy. See that hair is clean and in a feminine, flattering style, makeup suits the coloring and makes the face look smooth and healthy.  Perfume and necklaces are nice too if preferred.  I know there is a lot of mocking about the 50's women with their dresses and pearls servimg dinner at home, but it does make a difference to the countenance and feelings for some women. If you believe each day is an extraordinary gift, you will try not to approach life in a mundane way.  Besides, it is so encouraging at home when a wife or mother takes care of herself.

-Put the house in order and use bright spots of prettiness everywhere. Vases of flowers are portable, removeable and replaceable, and accessories can be repositioned in different areas to give a spark of delight here and there.  That way, there is no need to replace furniture and drapes, which is expensive. Give the home a fresh look in other ways.

-Rid yourself of things that might trigger stress such as things that never work and things that will never be used and aren't of any sentimental value.

-A tea tray set out waiting for your special time to sit and think and refresh yourself. Calming teas are lemon balm and chamomile. A web search for stress reducing foods and calm inducing nutrients will reveal foods that aid in reducing stress.

-Essential oils that balance the mind and emotions and create calm include scents like orange, lime, grapefruit and any others you prefer. Everyone has their own ideas of what works for them. Search on the web to find ways of using these "sunshine scents" in the home and personally.

-Listening to calming music and watching films that leave a good feeling with you.  

-Doing something for someone else, every day, and doing some small creative thing each day can help with stress.

-Nourish the mind by replacing the bad bacteria (a figure of speech) with good flora. Feed your emotions and your mind with stabilizing thoughts, sights, sounds, scents and activities.

-After I published this, my  DH suggested that anyone who is wrestling with discouragement from troubling thoughts due to the barbs of others, should mentally list the things they have accomplished over the years that are good, or the things they are wanting to do that build up their homelife.