WEBVTT 00:00:15.919 --> 00:00:18.820 Hey everyone, my name is Austin and welcome back 00:00:18.820 --> 00:00:21.199 to another episode of the Unfiltered Faith Podcast. 00:00:21.420 --> 00:00:23.140 If you're just tuning in for the first time, 00:00:23.179 --> 00:00:25.359 I'm so glad you're here. And if you've been here 00:00:25.359 --> 00:00:27.920 before, welcome back. And today we're going to 00:00:27.920 --> 00:00:30.539 be starting a three -part mini -series of the 00:00:30.539 --> 00:00:32.299 fruits of the spirit starting with the first 00:00:32.299 --> 00:00:35.500 three. Love, joy, and peace. So if you like to 00:00:35.500 --> 00:00:37.719 take notes, I encourage it. And while you're 00:00:37.719 --> 00:00:39.759 at it, have your Bibles out because we're going 00:00:39.759 --> 00:00:42.280 to be looking at some passages of scripture that 00:00:42.280 --> 00:00:46.439 will help us with our discussion today. In Galatians 00:00:46.439 --> 00:00:49.740 5, 22, and 23, Paul writes, but the fruits of 00:00:49.740 --> 00:00:53.500 the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, 00:00:53.880 --> 00:00:56.079 goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self 00:00:56.079 --> 00:00:58.579 -control. Against such things, there is no law. 00:00:59.119 --> 00:01:01.600 Love leads this list for a reason, because it 00:01:01.600 --> 00:01:04.379 is at the very core of our faith and our relationships 00:01:04.379 --> 00:01:08.239 with God and others. So, what is love? This question 00:01:08.239 --> 00:01:10.739 was asked so vaguely, because love has so many 00:01:10.739 --> 00:01:12.980 different definitions, because there are many 00:01:12.980 --> 00:01:16.319 different categories of love. And not only are 00:01:16.319 --> 00:01:18.219 there different categories of love, but there 00:01:18.219 --> 00:01:21.200 are different subcategories of love. Have you 00:01:21.200 --> 00:01:23.140 ever heard of the five love languages? First, 00:01:23.239 --> 00:01:26.140 let's talk about where this concept originated. 00:01:26.780 --> 00:01:29.400 The idea of love languages was popularized by 00:01:29.400 --> 00:01:32.719 Dr. Gary Chapman in his book, The Five Love Languages, 00:01:32.939 --> 00:01:35.299 How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate. 00:01:35.920 --> 00:01:39.340 Dr. Chapman suggests that everyone has a primary 00:01:39.340 --> 00:01:42.060 love language that dictates how they give and 00:01:42.060 --> 00:01:45.400 receive love. So, what are these 5 love languages? 00:01:45.799 --> 00:01:48.400 Let's go through each one, one by one, starting 00:01:48.400 --> 00:01:51.459 with the first one, words of affirmation. For 00:01:51.459 --> 00:01:54.680 many, words hold immense power. If this is your 00:01:54.680 --> 00:01:57.780 love language, you feel more love when you receive 00:01:57.780 --> 00:02:00.939 verbal expressions of affection. Compliments, 00:02:01.239 --> 00:02:04.560 kind words, or even an encouraging text can deeply 00:02:04.560 --> 00:02:08.039 resonate with you. 2. Acts of Service This love 00:02:08.039 --> 00:02:11.030 language is all about actions. If your partner's 00:02:11.030 --> 00:02:13.909 love language is acts of service, they feel valued 00:02:13.909 --> 00:02:16.189 when you do things for them, whether it's cooking 00:02:16.189 --> 00:02:19.349 a meal, helping with chores, or even running 00:02:19.349 --> 00:02:24.310 errands. 3. Receiving gifts. Now, this doesn't 00:02:24.310 --> 00:02:27.449 necessarily mean materialism. Rather, it's about 00:02:27.449 --> 00:02:30.009 the thought and effort behind the gift. If you 00:02:30.009 --> 00:02:32.090 speak this language, you feel cherished when 00:02:32.090 --> 00:02:34.569 someone gives you a tangible token of their love. 00:02:34.990 --> 00:02:37.289 It's not about the price tag, but the sentiment. 00:02:37.530 --> 00:02:40.289 Quality Time For many people, undivided attention 00:02:40.289 --> 00:02:42.810 is the ultimate expression of love. This love 00:02:42.810 --> 00:02:45.430 language is all about being present and engaged 00:02:45.430 --> 00:02:48.169 with your loved one. If quality time is your 00:02:48.169 --> 00:02:51.189 primary love language, you crave meaningful conversations, 00:02:51.729 --> 00:02:54.129 shared experiences, and activities that allow 00:02:54.129 --> 00:02:57.150 you to connect deeply. And last but not least, 00:02:57.530 --> 00:03:00.729 physical touch. This love language emphasizes 00:03:00.729 --> 00:03:03.490 the importance of physical connection in expressing 00:03:03.490 --> 00:03:07.210 love. For those who resonate with this love language, 00:03:07.789 --> 00:03:10.050 hugs, kisses, holding hands, and other forms 00:03:10.050 --> 00:03:13.650 of physical closeness are vital. Now that we've 00:03:13.650 --> 00:03:16.009 broken down the five love languages, physical 00:03:16.009 --> 00:03:18.949 touch, acts of service, quality time, words of 00:03:18.949 --> 00:03:21.129 affirmation, and receiving gifts, there's one 00:03:21.129 --> 00:03:23.310 more type of love that hasn't been talked about, 00:03:23.629 --> 00:03:26.289 but it's so unique that there's no specific definition. 00:03:26.530 --> 00:03:29.710 After all, it's even more complex than any of 00:03:29.710 --> 00:03:31.909 the concepts of love that you'll find because 00:03:31.909 --> 00:03:34.449 it can be only found in the Bible. This type 00:03:34.449 --> 00:03:37.689 of love is called biblical love. So what does 00:03:37.689 --> 00:03:40.919 biblical love look like? In 1 Corinthians 13, 00:03:41.139 --> 00:03:44.360 4 -7, Paul beautifully describes love. Love is 00:03:44.360 --> 00:03:47.240 patient. Love is kind. It does not envy. It does 00:03:47.240 --> 00:03:49.360 not boast. It is not proud. It does not dishonor 00:03:49.360 --> 00:03:52.219 others. It is not self -seeking. It is not easily 00:03:52.219 --> 00:03:54.879 angered. And it keeps no record of wrongs. Love 00:03:54.879 --> 00:03:57.400 does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the 00:03:57.400 --> 00:04:00.900 truth. It always protects, always trusts, always 00:04:00.900 --> 00:04:04.000 hopes, always perceives. This kind of love is 00:04:04.000 --> 00:04:06.759 not just a feeling. It's an action. It's a choice 00:04:06.759 --> 00:04:09.240 we make every single day to put others before 00:04:09.240 --> 00:04:12.139 ourselves, to seek peace over conflict, and to 00:04:12.139 --> 00:04:15.460 extend grace even when it's hard. Jesus himself 00:04:15.460 --> 00:04:19.519 is our greatest example of love. John 15 13 says, 00:04:19.939 --> 00:04:23.680 greater love has no one than this, to lay down 00:04:23.680 --> 00:04:26.959 one's life for one's friend. Christ's sacrifice 00:04:26.959 --> 00:04:29.220 on the cross was the ultimate expression of love. 00:04:29.560 --> 00:04:31.759 And as his followers, we are called to love in 00:04:31.759 --> 00:04:34.360 the same way, sacrificially and unconditionally. 00:04:34.860 --> 00:04:37.680 But what does that look like practically? Maybe 00:04:37.680 --> 00:04:40.519 it's forgiving someone who hurt you. Maybe it's 00:04:40.519 --> 00:04:43.100 showing kindness to a stranger. Maybe it's loving 00:04:43.100 --> 00:04:45.660 someone even when they don't deserve it. Love 00:04:45.660 --> 00:04:48.279 challenges us because it calls us to act beyond 00:04:48.279 --> 00:04:50.399 our comfort zones. Think about the story of the 00:04:50.399 --> 00:04:53.160 Good Samaritan. In Luke 10, on one occasion, 00:04:53.540 --> 00:04:56.360 an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. 00:04:56.519 --> 00:05:00.139 Teacher, he asked. What must I do to inherit 00:05:00.139 --> 00:05:02.740 eternal life? What is written in the law? He 00:05:02.740 --> 00:05:06.410 replied. How do you read it? He answered love 00:05:06.410 --> 00:05:08.730 the Lord your God with all your heart and with 00:05:08.730 --> 00:05:10.750 all your soul and with all your strength and 00:05:10.750 --> 00:05:13.430 with all your mind and Love your neighbor as 00:05:13.430 --> 00:05:16.629 yourself. You have answered correctly Jesus replied 00:05:16.629 --> 00:05:21.490 do this and you will live but he wanted to justify 00:05:21.490 --> 00:05:24.730 himself so he asked Jesus and who is my neighbor 00:05:24.730 --> 00:05:28.730 in reply Jesus said a man was going down from 00:05:28.730 --> 00:05:31.230 Jerusalem to Jericho when he was attacked by 00:05:31.230 --> 00:05:34.029 robbers They stripped him of his clothes, beat 00:05:34.029 --> 00:05:37.529 him, and went away, leaving him half dead. A 00:05:37.529 --> 00:05:39.649 priest happened to be going down the same road, 00:05:39.930 --> 00:05:42.389 and when he saw the man, he passed by on the 00:05:42.389 --> 00:05:46.350 other side. So, too, a Levite, when he came to 00:05:46.350 --> 00:05:48.589 the place and saw him, passed by on the other 00:05:48.589 --> 00:05:52.250 side. But the Samaritan, as he traveled, came 00:05:52.250 --> 00:05:55.769 where the man was, and when he saw him, he took 00:05:55.769 --> 00:05:58.949 pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his 00:05:58.949 --> 00:06:01.860 wounds, pouring on oil, and then he put the man 00:06:01.860 --> 00:06:04.220 on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and 00:06:04.220 --> 00:06:07.980 took care of him. The next day he took out two 00:06:07.980 --> 00:06:10.459 denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. Look 00:06:10.459 --> 00:06:12.839 after him, he said, and when I return I will 00:06:12.839 --> 00:06:16.259 reimburse you for any extra expense you may have. 00:06:16.720 --> 00:06:19.480 Which of these three do you think was a neighbor 00:06:19.480 --> 00:06:21.980 to the man who fell into the hands of robbers? 00:06:22.379 --> 00:06:25.680 The expert in the law replied, the one who had 00:06:25.680 --> 00:06:29.050 mercy on him. Jesus told him, Go and do it likewise. 00:06:29.230 --> 00:06:32.550 So a man is beaten and left for dead. Then what? 00:06:33.009 --> 00:06:36.310 The religious leaders pass by without helping 00:06:36.310 --> 00:06:39.170 by the Samaritan. A man considered an outsider 00:06:39.170 --> 00:06:42.410 stops and cares for the man. He bandages his 00:06:42.410 --> 00:06:45.410 wounds and places him on his own donkey and pays 00:06:45.410 --> 00:06:48.699 for his care. This is love in action. Love doesn't 00:06:48.699 --> 00:06:51.540 just acknowledge pain. It steps in to heal, and 00:06:51.540 --> 00:06:53.600 to restore, and to uplift. How do we cultivate 00:06:53.600 --> 00:06:56.300 this kind of love in our daily lives? The answer 00:06:56.300 --> 00:06:59.300 lies in our connection with God. In 1 John 4, 00:06:59.300 --> 00:07:02.699 16, we read, God is love. Whoever lives in love 00:07:02.699 --> 00:07:05.920 lives in God, and God in them. When we abide 00:07:05.920 --> 00:07:09.420 in God, His love flows through us. So how do 00:07:09.420 --> 00:07:11.319 we grow in love? Well, first of all, we have 00:07:11.319 --> 00:07:13.879 to abide in Christ. Spend time in prayer in His 00:07:13.879 --> 00:07:16.579 word. When we understand how deeply we are loved. 00:07:16.759 --> 00:07:21.079 we can love others well. Practice selfless acts. 00:07:21.639 --> 00:07:24.100 Look for ways to serve without expecting anything 00:07:24.100 --> 00:07:27.079 in return. A simple act of kindness can reflect 00:07:27.079 --> 00:07:31.519 Christ's love. Love even when it's hard. Whether 00:07:31.519 --> 00:07:34.000 it's forgiving an offense or showing patience 00:07:34.000 --> 00:07:36.899 in difficult situations, love requires endurance 00:07:36.899 --> 00:07:39.399 and grace. I want you guys to take a moment to 00:07:39.399 --> 00:07:42.160 reflect who in your life needs to experience 00:07:42.160 --> 00:07:44.860 God's love through you today. Maybe a co -worker, 00:07:45.100 --> 00:07:47.439 a family member, or even someone difficult to 00:07:47.439 --> 00:07:49.860 love. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in showing 00:07:49.860 --> 00:07:53.000 true, Christ -like love. Remember 1 John 4 19. 00:07:53.379 --> 00:07:56.399 We love because He first loved us. God's love 00:07:56.399 --> 00:07:59.779 empowers us to love others. Love is the foundation 00:07:59.779 --> 00:08:02.939 of our faith, the very essence of who God is. 00:08:03.519 --> 00:08:06.439 When we walk in His love, we experience a peace 00:08:06.439 --> 00:08:09.180 that calms our hearts and strengthens our relationships. 00:08:09.899 --> 00:08:12.779 But love doesn't stop there. it naturally overflows 00:08:12.779 --> 00:08:16.459 into joy. Joy is the deep, abiding gladness that 00:08:16.459 --> 00:08:19.319 comes from knowing we are loved by God, no matter 00:08:19.319 --> 00:08:22.439 our circumstances. It's not just a fleeting emotion, 00:08:22.660 --> 00:08:25.639 but a lasting strength rooted in our relationship 00:08:25.639 --> 00:08:30.300 with Him. Joy is second on this list, showing 00:08:30.300 --> 00:08:33.240 us just how essential it is in our walk with 00:08:33.240 --> 00:08:36.059 Christ. But what exactly is joy? Is it just about 00:08:36.059 --> 00:08:38.259 happiness and good feelings, or is it something 00:08:38.259 --> 00:08:41.580 deeper? Joy as described in scripture is not 00:08:41.580 --> 00:08:44.299 dependent on circumstances. Unlike happiness, 00:08:44.519 --> 00:08:46.740 which often comes and goes based on what happens 00:08:46.740 --> 00:08:49.500 in our lives, joy is steadfast and rooted like 00:08:49.500 --> 00:08:53.220 God. Nehemiah 8 .10 says, the joy of the Lord 00:08:53.220 --> 00:08:56.480 is our strength. This verse reminds us that joy 00:08:56.480 --> 00:08:58.879 is something God gives us. It's not something 00:08:58.879 --> 00:09:01.720 we manufacture. It's rooted in His presence and 00:09:01.720 --> 00:09:05.399 His promises. Think about Paul. Even while imprisoned, 00:09:05.600 --> 00:09:08.710 he wrote to the Philippians. saying, Rejoice 00:09:08.710 --> 00:09:11.370 in the Lord always, I will say it again, rejoice. 00:09:12.070 --> 00:09:14.929 How could we rejoice in suffering? Because His 00:09:14.929 --> 00:09:17.629 joy was in Christ, not in His circumstances. 00:09:18.549 --> 00:09:21.169 Jesus Himself embodied joy, even in the face 00:09:21.169 --> 00:09:24.610 of suffering. Hebrews 12 .12 says, For the joy 00:09:24.610 --> 00:09:27.429 set before Him He endured the cross, scorned 00:09:27.429 --> 00:09:29.870 its shame, and sat down at the right hand of 00:09:29.870 --> 00:09:33.350 the throne of God. His joy was in fulfilling 00:09:33.350 --> 00:09:35.570 the will of the Father and bringing salvation 00:09:35.570 --> 00:09:39.039 to humanity. So how do we cultivate joy in our 00:09:39.039 --> 00:09:43.279 lives? Number one abiding in Christ John 15 11 00:09:43.279 --> 00:09:47.059 says I have told you this so that My joy may 00:09:47.059 --> 00:09:50.399 be in you and that your joy may be complete Joy 00:09:50.399 --> 00:09:52.860 comes from staying connected to Jesus through 00:09:52.860 --> 00:09:56.220 prayer Worship in the word when we remain in 00:09:56.220 --> 00:09:59.500 him our joy is not based on the external but 00:09:59.500 --> 00:10:04.889 on the eternal number two gratitude 1st Thessalonians 00:10:04.889 --> 00:10:10.230 5, 16 -18 tells us, Rejoice always. Pray continually. 00:10:10.529 --> 00:10:13.610 Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is 00:10:13.610 --> 00:10:16.690 God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Practicing 00:10:16.690 --> 00:10:19.169 gratitude shifts our focus from what's wrong 00:10:19.169 --> 00:10:22.090 to what's right. A thankful heart is a joyful 00:10:22.090 --> 00:10:25.990 heart. Number three. Trusting in God's sovereignty. 00:10:26.809 --> 00:10:30.509 Psalm 16 -11 declares, You make known to me the 00:10:30.509 --> 00:10:33.679 path of life in your presence. There is fullness 00:10:33.679 --> 00:10:37.440 of joy. At your right hand are pleasures forevermore. 00:10:37.879 --> 00:10:40.679 Joy comes from trusting that God is in control 00:10:40.679 --> 00:10:45.179 and that his plans are good. 4. Serving Others 00:10:45.179 --> 00:10:49.759 Acts 20, 35 reminds us that it is more blessed 00:10:49.759 --> 00:10:53.100 to give than to receive. When we serve others, 00:10:53.299 --> 00:10:55.580 we reflect the love of Christ and experience 00:10:55.580 --> 00:11:00.200 the deep joy of giving. 5. Fellowship with Believers 00:11:00.200 --> 00:11:04.470 Proverbs 27, 9 says, A sweet friendship who refreshes 00:11:04.470 --> 00:11:07.090 the soul, surrounding ourselves with a community 00:11:07.090 --> 00:11:10.029 of faith, encourages us to walk in joy and reminds 00:11:10.029 --> 00:11:13.629 us that we are not alone. Even though joy is 00:11:13.629 --> 00:11:15.970 a fruit of the Spirit, many things can try to 00:11:15.970 --> 00:11:19.289 steal it. Worry, fear, comparison, and hardships 00:11:19.289 --> 00:11:22.490 can make us feel like joy is out of reach. But 00:11:22.490 --> 00:11:25.149 the good news is that God's Word equips us to 00:11:25.149 --> 00:11:28.870 overcome these joy stealers. The first joy stealer 00:11:28.870 --> 00:11:33.340 is worry and anxiety. Philippians 4, 6 -7 instructs 00:11:33.340 --> 00:11:36.200 us, Do not be anxious about anything, but in 00:11:36.200 --> 00:11:39.039 every situation, by prayer and petition, with 00:11:39.039 --> 00:11:42.000 thanksgiving. Present your request to God, and 00:11:42.000 --> 00:11:45.259 the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, 00:11:45.740 --> 00:11:49.039 will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. 00:11:49.659 --> 00:11:53.059 Turning our worries into prayers allows God to 00:11:53.059 --> 00:11:55.799 replace our fears with his joy. The second joy 00:11:55.799 --> 00:11:59.519 -stealer is trials and suffering. James 1, 2, 00:11:59.559 --> 00:12:02.740 and 3. Tells us to consider it pure joy my brothers 00:12:02.740 --> 00:12:05.840 and sisters whenever you face trials and many 00:12:05.840 --> 00:12:08.919 kinds Because you know that the testing of your 00:12:08.919 --> 00:12:13.059 faith produces perseverance Trials will refine 00:12:13.059 --> 00:12:16.580 us making our faith stronger in our joy deeper 00:12:16.580 --> 00:12:21.179 And the third joy stealer is comparison and envy 00:12:21.179 --> 00:12:24.000 when we compare our lives to others We often 00:12:24.000 --> 00:12:27.419 lose sight of God's unique plan for us Galatians 00:12:27.419 --> 00:12:31.159 6 for reminds us to pay careful attention to 00:12:31.159 --> 00:12:34.080 your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction 00:12:34.080 --> 00:12:36.960 of a job well done and you won't need to compare 00:12:36.960 --> 00:12:40.299 yourself to anyone else. Living in joy doesn't 00:12:40.299 --> 00:12:43.360 mean we won't have trials. Jesus himself said 00:12:43.360 --> 00:12:47.019 in John 16 33, in this world you will have trouble, 00:12:47.259 --> 00:12:50.059 but take heart, I have overcome the world. Our 00:12:50.059 --> 00:12:52.559 joy is anchored in the victory of Christ, not 00:12:52.559 --> 00:12:55.580 in the temporary circumstances. One practical 00:12:55.580 --> 00:12:58.919 way to remain joyful is to start each day with 00:12:59.200 --> 00:13:03.059 a joy check. Ask yourself, have I spent time 00:13:03.059 --> 00:13:06.340 in God's presence today? Am I practicing gratitude? 00:13:07.120 --> 00:13:10.019 Am I trusting God's plan even when I don't understand 00:13:10.019 --> 00:13:12.860 it? And how can I bring joy to someone else today? 00:13:13.759 --> 00:13:15.940 If you're struggling to find joy today, take 00:13:15.940 --> 00:13:18.299 a moment to pray and ask God to fill you with 00:13:18.299 --> 00:13:21.440 his joy. Meditate on his promises and surround 00:13:21.440 --> 00:13:25.029 yourself with his truth. Finding true joy in 00:13:25.029 --> 00:13:28.549 God often leads us to another profound gift he 00:13:28.549 --> 00:13:31.909 offers, peace. While joy uplifts our hearts, 00:13:32.750 --> 00:13:36.370 peace steadies our souls, providing reassurance 00:13:36.370 --> 00:13:40.409 even in life's uncertainties. As we see God's 00:13:40.409 --> 00:13:44.049 joy, we naturally open the door to his peace. 00:13:44.470 --> 00:13:47.570 Let's explore what biblical peace truly means. 00:13:49.490 --> 00:13:53.289 Peace is one of the most sought -after yet often 00:13:53.289 --> 00:13:56.210 misunderstood gifts from God. We're going to 00:13:56.210 --> 00:13:58.789 unpack what biblical peace truly means, how to 00:13:58.789 --> 00:14:01.730 cultivate it in our lives, and why it is more 00:14:01.730 --> 00:14:05.250 than just the absence of conflict. Peace in the 00:14:05.250 --> 00:14:08.149 biblical sense goes beyond external circumstances. 00:14:08.669 --> 00:14:12.230 The Hebrew word for peace, shalom, carries a 00:14:12.230 --> 00:14:15.909 deeper meaning. It speaks of wholeness, completeness, 00:14:16.370 --> 00:14:19.529 and harmony with God, ourselves and others. In 00:14:19.529 --> 00:14:22.950 John 14, 27, Jesus gives us a powerful promise. 00:14:24.009 --> 00:14:26.149 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. 00:14:26.429 --> 00:14:29.750 I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not 00:14:29.750 --> 00:14:32.149 let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid. 00:14:32.629 --> 00:14:35.350 Isn't that incredible? The peace Jesus offers 00:14:35.350 --> 00:14:38.409 isn't dependent on situations. It's a deep inner 00:14:38.409 --> 00:14:42.309 calm rooted in trust. So how do we live out this 00:14:42.309 --> 00:14:44.750 peace in our everyday lives? Let's break it down. 00:14:45.230 --> 00:14:47.350 Well, first of all, we need to find peace with 00:14:47.350 --> 00:14:50.700 God. Romans 5 -1 tells us, Therefore, since we 00:14:50.700 --> 00:14:53.519 have been justified through faith, we have peace 00:14:53.519 --> 00:14:56.620 with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. This 00:14:56.620 --> 00:14:58.960 means our relationship with God is restored through 00:14:58.960 --> 00:15:01.799 Jesus. When we accept His grace, we no longer 00:15:01.799 --> 00:15:04.840 live in fear or guilt. We walk in the assurance 00:15:04.840 --> 00:15:07.440 of His love. But how do we maintain this peace? 00:15:07.919 --> 00:15:11.299 By staying connected to Him through prayer, worship, 00:15:11.480 --> 00:15:16.179 and reading His Word daily. Psalm 119 verse 165 00:15:16.179 --> 00:15:19.580 says, Great peace have those who love your law, 00:15:19.940 --> 00:15:22.580 and nothing can make them stumble. If we want 00:15:22.580 --> 00:15:26.120 to be unshakable in life, we must anchor ourselves 00:15:26.120 --> 00:15:29.200 in God's word. Peace with God starts with knowing 00:15:29.200 --> 00:15:32.759 Him deeply. Number two, we must have peace within 00:15:32.759 --> 00:15:36.759 ourselves. Philippians 4, 6 -7 gives us a practical 00:15:36.759 --> 00:15:39.740 step. Do not be anxious about anything, but in 00:15:39.740 --> 00:15:43.000 every situation, by prayer and petition with 00:15:43.000 --> 00:15:45.740 thanksgiving, present your request to God and 00:15:45.740 --> 00:15:48.379 the peace of God. which transcends all understanding, 00:15:48.659 --> 00:15:51.100 will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ 00:15:51.100 --> 00:15:53.960 Jesus. Have you ever experienced that overwhelming 00:15:53.960 --> 00:15:56.620 sense of peace, even in the middle of chaos? 00:15:57.559 --> 00:16:00.139 That's the kind of peace that comes from surrendering 00:16:00.139 --> 00:16:03.179 our burdens to God. Anxiety, worry, and stress 00:16:03.179 --> 00:16:06.179 can rob us of peace, but when we cast our cares 00:16:06.179 --> 00:16:09.399 on Him, He exchanges our burdens for His rest. 00:16:09.659 --> 00:16:13.620 Jesus himself said in Matthew 11 28 to 30 come 00:16:13.620 --> 00:16:16.240 to me all of you who are weary and burdened and 00:16:16.240 --> 00:16:19.259 I will give you rest This is an open invitation 00:16:19.259 --> 00:16:22.100 whenever we feel overwhelmed we can turn to him 00:16:22.100 --> 00:16:25.600 and find peace To further cultivate inner peace 00:16:25.600 --> 00:16:29.000 consider these steps Develop a habit of mindfulness 00:16:29.000 --> 00:16:32.179 in God's presence pause through your day to remind 00:16:32.179 --> 00:16:35.139 yourself that God is with you limit distractions 00:16:35.450 --> 00:16:38.590 Excessive news, social media, and negative influences 00:16:38.590 --> 00:16:41.730 can steal our joy. Speak God's promises over 00:16:41.730 --> 00:16:44.649 your life. When fear arises, counter it with 00:16:44.649 --> 00:16:48.129 scripture. Rest in his provision. Trust that 00:16:48.129 --> 00:16:51.909 God is working everything for your good. And 00:16:51.909 --> 00:16:55.309 number three, peace with others. Romans 12, 18 00:16:55.309 --> 00:16:58.250 instructs us, if it is possible, as far as it 00:16:58.250 --> 00:17:00.590 depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 00:17:01.090 --> 00:17:03.730 This doesn't mean we avoid conflict at all costs, 00:17:03.889 --> 00:17:07.450 but rather that we seek reconciliation, extended 00:17:07.450 --> 00:17:10.569 forgiveness, and choose love over division. In 00:17:10.569 --> 00:17:13.849 a world filled with disagreements, offense, and 00:17:13.849 --> 00:17:16.529 broken relationships, being a peacemaker is more 00:17:16.529 --> 00:17:20.089 important than ever. Jesus calls us to this in 00:17:20.089 --> 00:17:23.309 Matthew 5, 9. Blessed are the peacemakers, for 00:17:23.309 --> 00:17:26.789 they will be called children of God. Peacemaking 00:17:26.789 --> 00:17:29.930 isn't about ignoring problems, but addressing 00:17:29.930 --> 00:17:33.480 them with love, humility, and wisdom. So how 00:17:33.480 --> 00:17:36.359 do we foster peace with others? Well, first of 00:17:36.359 --> 00:17:39.900 all, we need to listen more and speak less. A 00:17:39.900 --> 00:17:44.700 gentle response can deescalate conflict. Practice 00:17:44.700 --> 00:17:47.759 patience and empathy. Try to see things from 00:17:47.759 --> 00:17:51.079 the other person's perspective. Set healthy boundaries. 00:17:51.380 --> 00:17:55.359 Peace doesn't mean tolerating toxicity. Pray 00:17:55.359 --> 00:17:58.319 for those who challenge you. Ask God to bless 00:17:58.319 --> 00:18:01.259 them and soften your heart. Let's take a moment 00:18:01.259 --> 00:18:04.619 to reflect. Are there relationships in your life 00:18:04.619 --> 00:18:07.759 that need healing? Is there someone you need 00:18:07.759 --> 00:18:10.579 to forgive? Maybe you need to apologize to someone. 00:18:11.299 --> 00:18:14.400 Living in peace with others requires intentionality, 00:18:14.779 --> 00:18:17.400 but when we do, we reflect Christ's love to the 00:18:17.400 --> 00:18:20.920 world. Living in peace is a daily choice. It 00:18:20.920 --> 00:18:24.059 means trusting God in uncertainty, resting in 00:18:24.059 --> 00:18:26.920 His promises, and being a peacemaker in our communities. 00:18:27.460 --> 00:18:30.039 Imagine how different the world would be if we 00:18:30.039 --> 00:18:32.559 all can carry Christ's peace in our hearts and 00:18:32.559 --> 00:18:34.980 shared it with others. I encourage you to take 00:18:34.980 --> 00:18:37.700 a moment today to reflect. Where in your life 00:18:37.700 --> 00:18:41.000 do you need to invite God's peace? Is it a personal 00:18:41.000 --> 00:18:43.920 struggle? A relationship? A stressful situation? 00:18:44.779 --> 00:18:47.700 Whatever it is, bring it to Him. Here are seven 00:18:47.700 --> 00:18:50.339 ways that you can help cultivate peace in your 00:18:50.339 --> 00:18:53.059 daily lives. Number one, start your day with 00:18:53.059 --> 00:18:56.480 God. Pray, read scripture, and ask God for his 00:18:56.480 --> 00:19:01.039 peace to guide you. Practice gratitude. Thankfulness 00:19:01.039 --> 00:19:04.519 shifts our focus from problems to God's blessings. 00:19:05.500 --> 00:19:08.579 Let go of control. Trust that God is in charge 00:19:08.579 --> 00:19:13.119 and surrender your worries to him. Forgive quickly. 00:19:13.599 --> 00:19:17.119 Holding onto bitterness robs us of peace. Choose 00:19:17.119 --> 00:19:23.299 to release offenses. Be a peacemaker. Seek reconciliation. 00:19:23.549 --> 00:19:27.130 Extend kindness and promote harmony in your relationships. 00:19:27.970 --> 00:19:30.849 Number six, surround yourself with peaceful people. 00:19:31.309 --> 00:19:33.269 Spend time with those who encourage and uplift 00:19:33.269 --> 00:19:37.069 you. Number seven, engage in worship and praise. 00:19:37.670 --> 00:19:40.509 Focusing on God through worship restores our 00:19:40.509 --> 00:19:42.890 sense of peace. Before we wrap up, I have three 00:19:42.890 --> 00:19:45.569 challenges for you guys about the first three 00:19:45.569 --> 00:19:48.690 fruits of the spirit, love, joy, and peace. Number 00:19:48.690 --> 00:19:51.869 one, choose selfless love in difficult moments. 00:19:52.170 --> 00:19:54.369 It's easy to love when things are going well, 00:19:54.650 --> 00:19:57.589 but true love requires selflessness and patience, 00:19:57.890 --> 00:20:00.710 especially in those difficult times. 1 Corinthians 00:20:00.710 --> 00:20:04.589 3, 4 -7 teaches us that love is patient, kind, 00:20:04.990 --> 00:20:07.650 and not self -seeking. How can I show love to 00:20:07.650 --> 00:20:10.009 someone today, even when I don't feel like it? 00:20:10.529 --> 00:20:15.210 2. Maintain Joy Despite Life's Stress Work, financial 00:20:15.210 --> 00:20:18.059 struggles, or daily responsibilities can drain 00:20:18.059 --> 00:20:21.039 joy from our various relationships. Joy is not 00:20:21.039 --> 00:20:23.359 just about happiness, it's about contentment 00:20:23.359 --> 00:20:27.359 in Christ. Nehemiah 8 .10 says, the joy of the 00:20:27.359 --> 00:20:30.180 Lord is our strength. Am I fought behind in my 00:20:30.180 --> 00:20:33.140 joy in God or am I expecting my source of happiness 00:20:33.140 --> 00:20:36.519 to come from a person? Number three, navigate 00:20:36.519 --> 00:20:40.019 conflict with a Christ -like attitude. Disagreements 00:20:40.019 --> 00:20:42.720 and misunderstandings are inevitable, but how 00:20:42.720 --> 00:20:46.180 can we handle them to determine the peace? in 00:20:46.180 --> 00:20:50.299 our relationships. True peace comes from relying 00:20:50.299 --> 00:20:54.140 on God instead of trying to win arguments. Philippians 00:20:54.140 --> 00:20:57.359 4, 6, or 7 encourages us to seek God's peace 00:20:57.359 --> 00:21:00.319 through prayer rather than anxiety. Do you seek 00:21:00.319 --> 00:21:02.880 to bring peace to your relationships or do you 00:21:02.880 --> 00:21:05.299 let pride and emotions take over? Thank you for 00:21:05.299 --> 00:21:07.680 joining me on the Unfiltered Faith Podcast. If 00:21:07.680 --> 00:21:09.660 you enjoyed today's episode, share it with a 00:21:09.660 --> 00:21:11.880 friend and follow so you don't miss out on the 00:21:11.880 --> 00:21:14.779 rest of the series. Until next time, keep seeking 00:21:14.779 --> 00:21:17.720 those fresh perspectives and keep having those 00:21:17.720 --> 00:21:20.079 unfiltered conversations with others so that 00:21:20.079 --> 00:21:22.339 we can make a little more sense of the world 00:21:22.339 --> 00:21:22.960 around us.