HOW TO HAVE PEACE OF MIND

By David J. Riggs

Intro.
   A. Let us strive to obtain greater spirituality and personal      
      happiness.
      1. We are to rejoice always. Phil. 4:4
      2. We are to pray always. 1 Thess. 5:17
   B. A study made by Duke University on "Peace of Mind" listed eight
      things which they thought were important for peace of mind.
      1. In this lesson we list those eight, and along with them, we
         give Bible principles which, when applied, will bring the   
         true peace of mind.
         a. The Bible is the best "mental health" book on the face of
            the earth. It brings true mental health and happiness -
            the kind that passes all understanding.

I. SEEK TO ELIMINATE SUSPICION AND RESENTMENT.
   A. Nursing a grudge is a major factor in unhappiness. It feeds on
      suspicion, ill-will, jealousy, envy, and hate.
   B. Prov. 27:4; James 5:9
      1. Instead of holding a grudge, cultivate love. 1 John 2:10-11;
         4:7-12

II. DO NOT LIVE IN THE PAST.
   A. Pre-occupation with old mistakes and failures leads to         
      depression.
      1. Repent. Prov. 28:13; 1 John 1:9; Heb. 8:12
      2. God will most certainly do His part and forgive us as He has
         promised. We need to forgive ourselves and get on with our
         lives.

III. DO NOT WASTE TIME AND ENERGY FIGHTING CONDITIONS YOU CANNOT     
   CHANGE.
   A. Pray the serenity prayer, "Lord, help me to change the things I
      can change; to accept the things I cannot change, and grant me
      the wisdom to know the difference.
      1. For example, there are some things one can change in a
         marriage relationship. Some things, though, cannot be
         changed.
      2. Accept your companions as they are. Don't become a nag.
         Prov. 21:9,19; 27:15-16
         a. Commend the good qualities, and perhaps the
            relationship will improve within time.

IV. MAKE YOURSELF STAY INVOLVED WITH THE LIVING WORLD.
   A. Resist the temptation to withdraw and become reclusive during
      times of emotional stress.
      1. The reason, no doubt, that God ordained the church is
         because human beings are sociable beings. Gen 2:18
      2. He ordained the church for our benefit - so that we can aid
         one another. Heb. 3:13; Heb. 10:24-25

V. DO NOT INDULGE IN SELF PITY WHEN LIFE HANDS YOU A RAW DEAL.
   A. Everyone will have "fiery trials." 1 Pet. 4:12
      1. Everyone will face a certain amount of adversity. Eccl. 7:14
   B. I've seen Christians drown themselves in self-pity when        
      troubles come their way. Often their troubles are not as severe
      as those which others have faced.
      1. God has promised to provide a way of escape. 1 Cor. 10:13
         a. The word "temptation" here includes "trials" as well as
            "enticements to sin."
         b. You will not receive trials in your life which are
            impossible for you to endure. God will help.
         c. We can be encouraged that others have overcome. 1
            Pet. 5:8-9

VI. CULTIVATE, LOVE, JOY, COMPASSION, GOOD HUMOR, AND LOYALTY.
   A. We are to add the fruit of the Spirit. Gal. 5:22-23
   B. Christians are to be filled with the Spirit. Eph. 5:18-21
      1. By following the teachings of the Spirit, we learn to feel
         good about ourselves. It helps us to develop our own self-
         image, self-worth, and self-respect.

VII. DON'T EXPECT TOO MUCH OF YOURSELF.
   A. Sometimes we make a list of things to do during that day. When
      we don't accomplish any of them, we get frustrated.
      1. Some people's lives are that way. They fix goals they are
         unable to meet. They quickly have a burn-out.
   B. When one is a Christian, he has something worth while in his   
      life. Being a faithful Christian is what's important. All other
      things are only secondary. Matt. 16:26
      1. If one accomplishes nothing in His life but being a         
         Christian, His life has been a marvelous success.

VIII. HAVE SOMETHING BIGGER AND BETTER THAN YOURSELF TO BELIEVE IN.
   A. This is why small children manage to have peace of mind. Their
      peace of mind comes from their trust in someone bigger and
      better than themselves (their parents).
      1. This, too, is the reason their world is shattered when there
         is a divorce.
   B. We put our faith in God. He is bigger and better than          
      ourselves. Psalm 62:1-2, 5-8
   C. The old book by Dale Carnegie on "How to stop worrying and
      start living" had a full chapter on faith in God.
      1. Carnegie's thoughts were from a denominational point of
         view. However, at least he knew the importance of it.

Concl.
   A. True peace of mind grows out of a contented heart that wholly
      trusts God. 
      1. Through our devotion and obedience to God, we obtain
         peace in our hearts. Phil. 4:6-8; 1 Pet. 1:5; Job 34:29
   B. It is God's will that we believe (involves obeying) on His Son.
      John 6:29
      1. Jesus Christ brings a lasting peace which one cannot find
         through the means of this world. John 14:27; 16:33
   C. Thus, we as Christians have the answers on "How to have peace
      of mind."
      1. We know something the people of the world do not. 
      2. Let us continue to avail ourselves of this great privilege.

Chart:
HOW TO HAVE PEACE OF MIND

1. Seek to eliminate suspicion and resentment.

2. Do not live in the past.

3. Do not waste time and energy fighting conditions you cannot
change.

4. Make yourself stay involved with the living world.

5. Do not indulge in self pity when life hands you a raw deal.

6. Cultivate, love, joy, compassion, good humor, and loyalty.

7. Don't expect too much of yourself.

8. Have something bigger and better than yourself to believe in.