Peace: Family, Friends and Enemiesنموونە

Feeling the need to control is a common theme of the ego.

As you think about seeing your family, friends, and enemies during the holidays, many of you will feel the need to control the situation.

Allow me to remind you of what you can control … you.

When someone frustrates or annoys you, you give them power over you.

You have the power to choose how you want to feel.

When you blame another person for how you feel, you give them the power to control your feelings and actions.

Instead, decide to choose how you want to feel.

A simple phrase I use and have learned over the years when facing these situations is to say to myself, “I can choose peace, rather than this.”

The prayer of St. Francis, which I wrote a devotional about, says, “become an instrument of peace.” This allows you to connect to God, who is peace. You have all the peace you need.

The #7 thing you must do to live and create a peaceful environment during the holidays with family members, friends, and enemies is to detach from the outcome.

Your ego will want to control every person, place, and thing. Your ego says:

• I am what I do.
• I am what I have.
• I am what other people think of me.
• I am disconnected from others.
• I am disconnected from God.
• I am disconnected from what is missing in my life.

When you detach from the outcome, you allow faith and God to work in your life. Scriptures tell us, “the Spirit is willing, the flesh (ego) is weak.”

The story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego is a great example of detaching from the outcome. You can read the full story in the book of Daniel, but for now, I’ll quickly sum it up.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were given the option to bow down and worship a golden image, or be thrown into a fire and burn to death.

They decided to be thrown into the fire and told the Persian King in Daniel 3:18, 'But even if He (God) does not (rescue them), let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up!” '

When you read how Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego detached themselves from the outcome, how does that make you feel?

When you think about not allowing others to control your feelings, what does that feel like?

What does detaching from the outcome look like for you in this season?

What do you need to let go of so you can detach from the outcome?

What do you need to trust God about?

Before you go, I have one more thing (#8) you must do to live and create a peaceful environment during the holidays with family members, friends, and your enemies and it’s affirmations.

I mentioned above an affirmation I use which is, “I can choose peace, rather than this.”

Another affirmation I love to use is, “I only attract peace into my life.”

Read through these verses below and make them your own. Reminding yourself of the incredible power your words have on your mind and actions.

Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.”

Ephesians 4:29 says, ​​”Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”

Colossians 4:6 says, “​​Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”

Use the Word of God to create the peace you want in your life. Your words are the architect of your future. Use them to build the beautiful landscapes God is speaking about.

You are creating a peaceful and miraculous environment with your family, friends, and enemies. As you believe it, you will see it and will be able to act accordingly.

You are on your way to becoming an instrument of peace everywhere you go. God is with you. God is good, and good is God.

Let me know how this resonates with you.

I’m rooting for you.

I’m praying with you.

God bless

Coach Anthony Thompson