Consider the Lilies: Finding Perfect Peace in the Character of God

Interestingly, Paul’s prescription for anxious minds includes thanksgiving, and if it is part of the prescription, it is often a component of the diagnosis— thankless hearts produce anxious minds.

God’s response to Job’s profound despair is indicative of the way He responds to all His anxious, fearful, and despairing creatures in the Bible. His reply is not based on circumstances, nor does He explain His providential plan to those who ask for answers. He routinely responds in one way: He proclaims His own character. God doesn’t say, “Let Me tell you why this is happening.” He says, “Let Me tell you who I am.” The strongest remedy, the surest balm, and the most comforting pillow God provides for the despairing and anxious is the revelation of His own nature.

Although Satan no longer exercises authority over the Christian who has been given the “mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16), he can still leverage the tools at his disposal to prevent us from thinking deeply about God.

The world experiences peace circumstantially, but the Christian’s peace is not anchored in happenstance or circumstance but in the character of our heavenly Father.

Because love is only “amazing” to those who don’t think they deserve it—and the only way you will come to grips with your unworthiness of God’s love is when you begin to comprehend His holiness.

Job had summoned God to the court of his own sense of justice.

He routinely prompts His anxious, depressed, and fearful children to think. One of the chief aspects of God's image bearers is that we have a mind, and God wants those who are anxious to use it.

The strongest remedy, the surest balm, and the most comforting pillow God provides for the despairing and anxious is the revelation of His own nature.

God doesn't say. "Let Me tell you why this is happening." He says, "Let Me tell you who I am.

God's response to Job's profound despair is indicative of the way He responds to all His anxious, fearful, and despairing creatures in the Bible. His reply is not based on circumstances, nor does He explain His providential plan to those who ask for answers. He routinely responds in one way: He proclaims His own character.

In most of life's seasons, we don;t have a say about the pain or trouble we endure, nor the unknown we face. We do however, have a choice where we look - either at our worried or at God. People who behold the faithful character of God come to find that He and He alone, is the one who calms the raging seas of our hearts.

God's unchanging and matchless character is the antidote our worried and anxious souls need the most.

I have come to the settled conviction that the pursuit of God leads to intimacy with Him, intimacy leads to trust, trust produces peace, and peace leads to unassailable joy.

The answer to our worry is not to look inward but to look upward.

I find my burden to write is not because I may or may not have suffered on your level but because God through His Word offers hope and peace for the full range of human anxiety and worry.

Gazing at God's glorious character is the pathway to peace.

Jesus says "Do not be worried" (Matthew 6:25), he then goes on to illustrate that a misdirected gaze is at the heart of worry and anxiety.