CHRIST THE KING BRINGS US PEACE

Matthew 1:18-25
Romans 1:1-7

 Americans, it appears, are an anxious people.  Depression and anxiety is on the rise from teens to older adults.  The sensationalizing of the election and the constant barrage of media have put many in a state of constant fight or flight, affecting their relationships with family and friends.  

 We talk about peace on earth, but what about peace in our own lives?  What relief from fears and stress, especially in this very busy and very expensive holiday season, can Christ the King, the Prince of Peace offer us?
Have worries ever tied your stomach into knot?  Have you laid awake at night wrestling with hard decisions or come home from work or school totally exhausted from stress?  Then you will have an idea what Joseph was going through.

Joseph was faced with a tough decision.  I imagined he paced the floor for several nights.  He was worried about how Mary's surprise pregnancy would affect their future together, if there was one; how her reputation would be ruined, and how he might become the butt of  cruel jokes and rude remarks.  Some of you may know what it's like living in a small town where things are no sooner done than gossiped about.  He finally decided to quietly break it off with Mary and not publicly humiliate her.  It says he was a righteous man, which makes me wonder if he had a lot of peace about his decision.

Like Joseph, we have our own issues that rob us of our peace of mind, and at the top of the list is money, according to Gallup Poll research.  Money is one of the top two reasons for conflict in relationships..

The average American household carries about $16,000 in credit card debt, It will take them five months to pay off their holiday spending.  On top of credit card debt, they also have an average of $132,529 in other debt, such as mortgages, car and student loan payments.

That's a lot of arguments and lost nights of sleep, awash a vast and stormy ocean of debt while many paddling furiously just to keep their heads above water.

We can, and should seek financial and other types of counseling.  God offers us peace and healing through these sources, and it's also important to remember that our peace and wholeness is part of the body, mind and soul connection.  Even Dave Ramsey will tell us that our relationship with God through Christ has an important role in our financial peace.  When we make Christ number one in our lives and Lord over our finances, there's an attitude adjustment when it comes to money, spending and debt.

Christ the King says to us, "Do not let your hearts be troubled.  Believe in God and also believe in me... Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you,  I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not let them be afraid."  (John 14:1,27)  Peace, the gift of God's love that bars the door against fear, helps us to see the God possibilities and and will not be taken away.

Christ, Emmanuel, is God with us, not symbolically but in real and personal ways.  He offers to be our personal financial and life coach:

 “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” 

I believe that when Joseph decided to say "yes" to God's call to be part of God's plan of salvation for all humanity and the world, that he finally found peace in the situation with Mary.  Joseph said "yes" because he trusted in God, who has proven over and over again that He always keeps His promises and stands by those who call upon His name.

I believe the key to personal peace is trust, trust not only in God's Word and promises, but trusting Christ, God with us.  Do we Trust the Prince of Peace enough to invite him into our lives and our places of worry and fear, financial and otherwise?

When we ask Jesus to help us carry our burdens and our kind and gentle teacher who always has our good in mind, Christ opens the doors to new ways to learn, to grow and of living.  We will find peace.











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