How to have God’s Peace
When you live with C-PTSD as an AuDHDer, hypervigilance is simply a part of daily life. Some days are minimally invasive and others are downright debilitating.
Recently I have been stuck in a “flashback” state due to a heartbreaking incident involving my AuDHD adult son which happened the night following Christmas.
During the course of that night, I felt like I was 16 again and being abused by his bio-dad like it was yesterday. No matter what I did to control my thoughts, I. was. stuck!
More than a week later and last night, as I was preparing to sleep, I had a pounding heartbeat. There was nothing scary or threatening happening, yet there I was again trying to control this involuntary reaction.
LET’S DIVE IN
So how exactly do we experience
God’s peace?
We have to start with our thoughts.
I understand that this may seem easier than you think, yet like most things, we have to build a habit. If you too are Autistic, this may be more workable than you imagine. We love our routines, so why not incorporate something beneficial into our day? Believe me, we can do this!
In Philippians 4:8 NLT we’re told this:
“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”
Let’s jump in to practical application!
– Galatians 5:22-23 NLT –
“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!”
Let’s apply each of these words to our thoughtlife using Scripture:
LOVE
“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”
– John 3:16 NLT
JOY
“Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
– Nehemiah 8:10b BSB
PEACE
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
– Philippians 4:7 NLT
PATIENCE
“The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.”
– 2 Peter 3:9 BSB
KINDNESS
“But when the kindness and the love of mankind of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not by works in righteousness that we did, but according to His mercy, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by that grace, we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
– Titus 3:4 BSB
GOODNESS
“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!”
– Psalm 34:8
“For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.”
– Psalm 100:5
“The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.”
– Psalm 145:9
“The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.”
– Nahum 1:7
“Every good and perfect gift comes from God, showing that all true goodness in our lives flows from Him.”
– James 1:17
FAITHFULNESS
“God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”
– 1 Corinthians 1:9
“God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear…”
– 1 Corinthians 10:13
“He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.”
– 1 Thessalonians 5:24
“But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.”
– 2 Thessalonians 3:3
“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love…”
– Deuteronomy 7:9
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases… great is your faithfulness.”
– Lamentations 3:22–23
GENTLENESS
“You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your right hand supported me, and your gentleness has made me great.”
– Psalm 18:35
“I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” – Jesus
– Matthew 11:29
SELF CONTROL
God displays to us His self-control by being “slow to anger…abounding in love” and He “does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities”.
– Nahum 1:3, Psalm 103:8, 10-11
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
– 1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV
If this is as helpful to you as it is for me, I encourage you to save it, print it, whatever is necessary for you to grow in your healing journey too!