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When we are in a difficult and stressful situation, we want solutions. But it would also be nice to have peace, and even joy in the middle of the situation. We will try to address joy in another blog post, but let’s start with attaining peace. Is there a consistent way to have peace even when under stress?
Psalm 131 explains how:
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O Lord, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty;
Nor do I involve myself in great matters,
Or in things too difficult for me.
2 Surely I have composed and quieted my soul;
Like a weaned child rests against his mother,
My soul is like a weaned child within me.
3 O Israel, hope in the Lord
From this time forth and forever.Psalm 131
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Key principles in this Psalm show us how to be at peace regardless of our circumstances
- It starts with a humble heart
O Lord, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty;
Psalm 131:1
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What is humility? One working definition is that it is clearly seeing God’s greatness, while at the same time recognizing our lack of greatness – our deep need in every area of life. Humility goes further to demonstrate our recognition of our needs by going to God for them instead of taking things into our hands. Humility also recognizes that our fellow man is in the exact same position as us, and rather than looking down our noses we assist them through encouraging them to look to God while at the same time helping them to the extent that we can.
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2. A humble heart leads us to let God be God, not attempting to take His place
Nor do I involve myself in great matters,
Or in things too difficult for me.Psalm 131:2
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Psalm 131 lists 2 things not to be involved with, leaving one thing that we should focus on. The 2 things to not involve ourselves with are:
- “Great matters” – includes things which God and only God can orchestrate – this ranges from the geopolitical affairs of the world, to the weather, all the way down to how other people behave
- “Things too difficult for me” – includes things beyond our ability to control. Can you change your spouse? No, only God can do that. Can you control every circumstance of your life? No. You CAN work hard, take personal responsibility, develop your personal character, and manage your personal response to others. But many parts of your life are in God’s hands, not yours.
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Not involving ourselves in these 2 things leaves us free to focus on what remains – things that God has made my responsibility. The implication is – “do what you can and should, and trust God for the rest”.
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Focusing on our responsibility and leaving the rest to God requires us to truly trust Him….
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- His 100 percent love for us,
- His 100 percent knowledge and wisdom in guiding our situation,
- His 100 percent power to execute His wise plan for us from His heart of goodness
- His 100 percent consistency and faithfulness
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This is what Proverbs 3:5-6 talks about when it says,
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Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.Proverbs 3:5-6
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Trusting in God means that we do not take HIS things into our own hands, which often makes things worse and results in a life where we feel that we are careening off the walls.
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God does give us prayer as a means to link His will with our hearts, and to give us an outlet for the anguish of our needs. God’s goal in EVERY situation is for us to know Him more, so that we more clearly see His greatness. Taking every need to Him in prayer is a key to doing this.
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Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
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Leaving God’s things to God leads to peace and contentment. Psalm 131 describes it this way.
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Surely I have composed and quieted my soul;
Like a weaned child rests against his mother,
My soul is like a weaned child within me.Psalm 131:3
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