The Apostle Paul tells us in Colossians 3:15 to “let the peace of God rule in your hearts.”

Have you ever wondered how to do that? It’s not always so easy, is it? Especially when the cares of life, the weight of worries, and an overwhelming flood of emotions are bearing down on you.

But the Lord would never tell us to do something that we couldn’t do, right?

One thing I find very interesting about this verse is that the word “rule” here comes from the Greek word, brabeuo, which refers to an umpire or referee. 

In fact, the Amplified Bible adds that facet to this verse, which I believe helps give it a bit more clarity. It says,

And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds…

Now, here’s a useless bit of trivia about me: I love Atlanta Braves Baseball! So, when March comes around and the leaves are budding, the flowers are blooming, birds are singing, bees are buzzing, and the whole earth is coming alive, my mind immediately turns to “Spring Training” and “opening day” for Major League Baseball!

(Stay with me here, I’m going somewhere with this…)

Now, being a Braves fan, I am well aware that their former manager, Bobby Cox, holds the all-time record for ejections (158 regular season, and 3 post-season). And I have personally watched a lot of those.

Let me set the stage: An umpire would call a strike or a ball or any play that Bobby didn’t agree with, and out of the dugout he would come. You could see him spewing off words. He would get right up in the umpire’s face and argue…and then it would come, the “magic word” that always got him thrown out.

The umpire would throw his arm and yell, “You’re outta here!” And Bobby Cox would add another ejection to his resumé.

This is a fabulous illustration of what we must do when thoughts or emotions come to our mind that produce worry, fear or any other negative emotion.

Peace is to be the umpire of our heart and mind.

When those thoughts or emotions come, arguing against the Word of God, screaming at you, getting right in your face, trying to upset you, trying to get you out of faith and over into doubt, then eject them! Throw them out of the game! Say, “You’re outta here!” And refuse to allow them to stay in your mind.

Let the peace of God decide and settle with finality all questions (all thoughts, all emotions) that arise in your mind. If it doesn’t produce peace, it has to go!

Never allow those thoughts to “stay in the game” and wreak havoc in your mind! You are in control.

If you didn’t read last week’s post, What Are You Thinking?, then I suggest you read it and the “thought checklist” which will help you know which thoughts you can think.

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