Choosing Peace: Embracing Trials and Inner Dialogue

 

Summary

In our journey through life, we are assured of encountering trials and tribulations. These challenges are not meant to break us but to strengthen our faith and glorify God's name. We often sing about God giving and taking away, yet we must choose to bless His name regardless of our circumstances. Like Job, who lost everything but never blamed God, we too must refrain from cynicism, negative thinking, and blaming others for our misfortunes.

Our inner dialogue is crucial in shaping our reality. We often have three types of inner voices: the inner critic that judges us, the inner defender that blames others, and the inner guide that seeks the best in every situation. It is essential to recognize these voices and choose the one that leads us toward positivity and peace.

Negative filtering, where we focus on the negative aspects of life, can be detrimental to our well-being. We must reverse this tendency by renewing our minds and aligning our thoughts with the truth of God's Word, which tells us that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Guarding our minds is vital, as Proverbs 4:23-27 instructs us to protect our hearts because everything we do flows from it.

Blaming others for our problems is a common but harmful practice. It is a reflection of our unwillingness to take responsibility for our actions. We must look in the mirror and acknowledge that change begins with us. Absolute thinking and cynicism can also rob us of peace. We must be flexible and open to change, allowing God to use our talents for His glory and the betterment of others.

We must guard against cynicism, which often stems from an imbalanced understanding of God's Word, unconfessed sin, and unrealistic expectations. We are reminded that God knew us before we were born and created us in His image, as stated in Jeremiah 1:5 and Genesis 1:27. Therefore, we should not dwell on negative perceptions others may have of us.

Blaming God for our choices is another form of deflection. We must remember that we are responsible for our own conduct, as Galatians 6:5 states. It is crucial to take ownership of our decisions and trust in God's guidance rather than blaming Him when things do not go as planned.

In conclusion, peace is a choice that requires constant renewal of the mind. We must choose to focus on the positive, take responsibility for our actions, and trust in God's plan for our lives. May the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way.

Key Takeaways:

- Trials and tribulations are not obstacles but opportunities to glorify God's name. By embracing this perspective, we align ourselves with the biblical truth that God uses our difficulties to refine our faith and draw us closer to Him. This shift in mindset transforms our approach to life's challenges and enables us to praise God in all circumstances. [01:10:08]

- The inner dialogue we entertain can either build us up or tear us down. It is imperative to cultivate an inner guide that echoes the affirmations of Scripture, reminding us of our identity in Christ and the strength we possess through Him. This internal voice should be our compass, steering us away from the destructive criticism and blame that can cloud our judgment and hinder our spiritual growth. [45:54]

- Guarding our minds is a proactive measure that requires diligence and intentionality. The mind is the wellspring of life, and what we allow to take root in our thoughts will inevitably shape our words and actions. By filtering out negativity and focusing on the truth of God's Word, we safeguard our peace and set a course for a life that honors God. [48:55]

- Taking responsibility for our actions is a hallmark of spiritual maturity. Blaming others, including God, for our choices is a refusal to acknowledge our agency. Recognizing our role in our circumstances empowers us to make changes and seek God's wisdom for future decisions, leading to a more peaceful and fulfilling life. [01:00:05]

- Cynicism is a barrier to experiencing the fullness of God's peace. It often arises from a skewed understanding of the gospel, focusing solely on its promises while neglecting its calls to repentance and acknowledgment of God's justice. To combat cynicism, we must embrace a balanced view of Scripture, acknowledging both God's grace and His righteousness. [01:06:06]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Proverbs 4:23-27: "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil."
2. Jeremiah 1:5: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."
3. Galatians 6:5: "For each one should carry their own load."

#### Observation Questions
1. What are the three types of inner voices mentioned in the sermon, and how do they affect our mindset? [45:13]
2. According to Proverbs 4:23-27, why is it important to guard our hearts and minds?
3. How does the sermon describe the impact of negative filtering on our well-being? [46:09]
4. What examples from the Bible were given to illustrate the tendency to blame others, including God, for our problems? [52:33]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does recognizing and choosing the inner guide over the inner critic and inner defender align with the teachings of Proverbs 4:23-27? [45:54]
2. In what ways does the understanding that God knew us before we were born (Jeremiah 1:5) help combat negative perceptions and self-doubt? [50:38]
3. How does taking responsibility for our actions, as stated in Galatians 6:5, contribute to spiritual maturity and peace? [55:06]
4. What are the dangers of cynicism as described in the sermon, and how can a balanced understanding of Scripture help mitigate these dangers? [01:06:06]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent trial or tribulation you faced. How can you shift your perspective to see it as an opportunity to glorify God rather than an obstacle? [01:10:08]
2. Identify a negative thought pattern you struggle with. What steps can you take to renew your mind and align your thoughts with the truth of God's Word? [47:23]
3. Think of a situation where you blamed someone else for a problem. How can you take responsibility for your actions and seek God's wisdom for future decisions? [55:06]
4. Have you ever felt cynical about someone's motives in the church or your community? How can you work towards a more trusting and positive outlook? [01:03:06]
5. Consider a time when you engaged in absolute thinking. How can you practice flexibility and openness to change in your daily life? [01:00:24]
6. Reflect on the inner dialogue you have with yourself. How can you cultivate an inner guide that echoes the affirmations of Scripture and steers you towards positivity and peace? [45:54]
7. How can you actively guard your heart and mind against negativity this week? What practical steps will you take to focus on the truth of God's Word? [48:45]

May this guide help you delve deeper into the sermon’s message and apply its teachings to your life.

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Trials as Divine Opportunities
Life's trials are not mere obstacles; they are divine opportunities to strengthen faith and glorify God. When faced with adversity, it is easy to fall into despair, but these moments are designed to refine us, much like gold is purified through fire. By shifting our perspective to see challenges as chances to demonstrate unwavering trust in God, we can find joy and peace even in the midst of hardship. This approach allows us to praise God in all circumstances, recognizing that our journey, including its trials, is part of a greater plan that we may not fully understand but can fully trust.

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." (James 1:2-3 ESV)

Reflection: How can you view a current challenge in your life as an opportunity to deepen your faith and glorify God? [07:40]

Day 2: Cultivating a Positive Inner Guide
The conversations we have with ourselves can either lift us up or pull us down. It is crucial to nurture an inner guide that aligns with the affirmations of Scripture, reminding us of our identity in Christ and the strength we possess through Him. This positive inner voice should guide us away from self-criticism and blame, leading us toward peace and spiritual growth. By choosing to listen to this voice, we can navigate life's complexities with grace and wisdom, finding solace in the truth that we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." (Philippians 4:8 ESV)

Reflection: What negative thoughts do you need to replace with Scripture's affirmations about who you are in Christ? [45:54]

Day 3: The Wellspring of a Guarded Mind
The mind is the battlefield where peace is won or lost. Guarding our minds means intentionally filtering out negative thoughts and focusing on the truth of God's Word. This proactive measure is not a passive state but an active pursuit of aligning our thoughts with the promises and commands of Scripture. As we fill our minds with divine truth, we become equipped to speak and act in ways that honor God, setting a course for a life marked by His peace.

"Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." (Colossians 3:2 ESV)

Reflection: What practical steps can you take today to guard your mind against negativity and focus on God's truth? [48:55]

Day 4: Ownership of Actions and Decisions
Spiritual maturity is characterized by taking responsibility for our actions and decisions. Blaming others, including God, for our life's outcomes is a refusal to acknowledge our own agency. By recognizing our role in our circumstances, we empower ourselves to make necessary changes and seek God's wisdom for future decisions. This leads to a more peaceful and fulfilling life, as we trust in God's guidance and embrace the freedom that comes with personal responsibility.

"Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out." (Proverbs 10:9 ESV)

Reflection: In what situation do you need to take responsibility for your actions, and how can you seek God's guidance in doing so? [01:00:05]

Day 5: Overcoming Cynicism with Balanced Scripture
Cynicism can be a significant barrier to experiencing God's peace. It often arises from a one-sided understanding of the gospel, focusing only on its promises while neglecting its calls to repentance and recognition of God's justice. To overcome cynicism, we must embrace a balanced view of Scripture, acknowledging both God's grace and His righteousness. This balanced perspective allows us to experience the fullness of God's peace and to live out our faith authentically.

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful." (Hebrews 10:23 ESV)

Reflection: How can you cultivate a more balanced understanding of Scripture to combat cynicism in your life? [01:06:06]

Quotes

1) "What people think about you is not what you are. That is their problem. The Lord created you. So when somebody says you are a failure, you turn that around and say that is what you say. But the word of God says he knows me." [51:22] (Download | )

2) "If things are not going well, look at the person you will see in the mirror and say, I am going to make a change. I am not going to be that person to blame somebody else. I am going to take responsibility for my actions." [01:00:05] (Download | )

3) "The inner critic, the voice that judges us as inadequate. The inner defender, the voice that judges, blames, criticizes, is cynical to yourself and to others. And then the inner guide that seeks to make the best of any situation." [45:54] (Download | )

4) "We have to reverse this state of well-being and looking for peace is a state that needs constant renewal of your mind. You cannot afford to dwell in the negativity." [47:27] (Download | )

5) "More than anything, guard and protect your mind for life flows from it. Have nothing to do with a corrupt mouth. Keep devious lips far from you." [48:55] (Download | )

6) "You give and take away, you give and take away. But choose to say, my heart will say, blessed be the name of the Lord. It doesn't matter what you go through." [01:10:08] (Download | )

7) "We need to keep renewing our mind. You cannot have full peace without renewing your mind on a constant basis. It is not something you can switch on today and switch off tomorrow." [01:11:56] (Download | )

8) "In Galatians 6 verse 5, it says, for we are each responsible for our own conduct. We all have a part to play and God has his. So God has given us a life in the mind of our own." [55:41] (Download | )

9) "We have to talk about sin. We have to talk about failure. We have to talk about suffering. We have to talk about persecution and the Lord's judgments." [01:06:06] (Download | )

10) "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins, to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. So that is a mindset we have to have." [01:08:25] (Download | )

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Transcript
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