Question

1.) Give an instance where things did not go according to plan

2.) What did you feel? What was your response?

Finding peace in God

Meaning of Worrying
1.) Dictionary: to torment oneself with or suffer from disturbing thoughts; fret.

What does the Bible says about Worry

1.) Worrying Accomplish Nothing (Matthew 6:27-29)
27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?
28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how
they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his
glory was not arrayed like one of these.

Worry is a waste of precious time as it won't help you solve a problem or bring a
possible solution.

Example:
The time in college and high school days after I submitted my requirements I
always worry if I did something wrong (after submission). This not only
consumed a lot of my precious time but it distracts me from my current tasks.
(Listening to lectures etc.)

2.) Worry is the opposite of trusting God and puts our focus in the wrong direction
Matthew 6:30
But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is
thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?.

It is our way of saying that God cannot fix our problem. It distracts us from what we are
doing because it is always on the back of our minds.

Example:
1.) At worse it hinders us to minister. You become paralyzed and you want to
the problem to be resolved first first and without noticing that your other
commitments including your commitment to God and the church. (Not
volounteering and attending missions)
2.) To share the word (Instead of trusting God to use you, you tend to focus
more on what you lack and cannot do)

How to find peace in God

1.) First and most common step: Focus on God instead of the/your situation
- common advice given to people
- Biblical joy (Romans 8:28)
1. Biblical Joy (What it's not) not saying to be happy about our situation
2. It is the effect of knowing Romans 8:28 knowing that God is in control
and only allows what is good for you
3. It is an unexplainable calmness like if natanggal ka sa trabaho or in
 health, or in financial.

2.) From our focus on God, let this be a catalyst to engage in serving other
- It's not just that God wants us to serve others in the midst of trouble. God knows
our weakness as humans.
common worldy advice is to oneself busy to distract the person
Spiral of despair

Example: Bad day but you decided to help a person in need or join an outreach or
volounteer

3.) But what if we are really alone and it's time to go to bed? Philippians 4:6
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

When we pray we leave our burden with God so that we can rest and the
peace of God will guard our hearts and minds (Philippians 4:7)

Example: Corporate world Example Boss takesover

In the midst of troubles we must focus on him, think about Him, pray to Him and think about Him
again.

Easier Said than Done

It is because it also a day-to-day battle
The more you meditate on the word of God the more you will know His plans and He is
working for the good in our life

The more you focus on the things God has made you to do you will be sure that the God of
peace will be with you.
First the peace of God will not just guard you but the God of peace will be
with us and that is even better!

Jesus was with Shadrach, Messiach and Abednigo in the fiery furnace, and
He will be with you in your fiery furnace as well.
They don't know if God will keep them alive or not all they knew was
God was with them and they have peace.

That's is what we have to realize. God is with us and will see through our way one way or another. That
is not defeatist or resignation. That is confidence. God has a plan for you and it's good. You walk with
Him because He's walking with you. That's how you get peace in a really bad situation.