I relax by pursuing inner peace. I was an anxious child and as long as I can remember I have hungered for and pursued inner peace. At an early age I began resisting negative thoughts and driving them out of my mind. I’ve worked hard to focus on the good things in my life. I’ve sought to avoid negative emotions and to embrace positive ones. As I got older, I began reading and trying to apply self-help books. (I eventually became a full-time motivational speaker.)
My pursuit of inner peace took a giant step forward when as a college freshman I encountered and surrendered my life to the living, resurrected Jesus Christ. As I began to seek first the kingdom (inner government) of God in my life the Holy Spirit begin to produce more and more peace in me. The more peace I felt, the more I wanted and the more I pursued a closer relationship with Christ.
People don’t seek what they think they already have. If you think your driver’s license is in your pocket, you won’t seek it, but if you think it’s lost you’ll turn your house upside down searching for it. If you think the kingdom of God is something you have already fully experienced, then you won’t hunt for it. It won’t be your first priority to seek it day and night. (Matthew 6:33)
Christianity is about pursuing the kingdom of God as your number one passion in life by hungering and thirsting for righteousness. (Matthew 5:6) It focuses on pressing towards and fulfilling God’s high calling on your life. (Philippians 3:14) It’s all about drawing closer and closer to God. (James 4:8)
Seeking first the kingdom of God is about setting your heart on and pursuing “things above.” (Colossians 3:1) It involves searching for the Lord “with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13) It’s about fighting the good fight, finishing the race, and keeping the faith. (2 Timothy 4:7) It’s about fixing our eyes on Jesus and running with endurance the race that God has set before us.” (Hebrews 12:1-2)
True Christianity is about offering your body as a living sacrifice, being continually transformed by the renewing of your mind, and not conforming to the lifestyles of this world. (Romans 12:1-2) It’s about wanting intimacy with the living God more than you hunger for and crave food. (Job 23:12) It’s about letting “the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another.” (Colossians 3:16) It’s about ridding yourself “of all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander.” (1 Peter 2:1) It’s about constantly seeking to “lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.” (Romans 13:12)
Are you seeking first the kingdom (the inner government) of God? When people are governed by the inner kingdom of God they think, act, and live differently than the people around them.
Free Gas for Your Think Tank -- Fill Your Mind and Your Heart With Hope 