Peace from God

Summary

David Ingall, founder of Burning Heart, shares his journey of seeking God's peace amidst the stress of London life. He explores Philippians 4:4-9, challenging the assumption that peace is passive by highlighting it as something to be actively pursued. Ingall discusses the 'recipe for peace' found in the Bible, emphasizing that God's peace is not reliant on our emotions but is a secure gift in Christ, even during life's toughest moments. He encourages viewers to join him in a series that delves deeper into these biblical teachings, aiming to experience a profound and transformative peace.

Takeaways

• 🏙️ David Ingall, founder of Burning Heart, shares his deep connection with London, a city known for its rich history, finance, and culture, but also acknowledges the stress and intensity that can come with city life.
• 🙏 David realized during a church service that while he prayed for peace for others, he himself was lacking that very peace in his life, sparking a desire for change.
• 🌐 The lack of peace is a common struggle across different demographics, from students to parents to those facing health issues or high-stress jobs.
• 📜 David explores the biblical promise of peace found in Philippians, particularly focusing on the transformative power of the scripture's message for his own life.
• 🔑 The peace of God is not just a passive state but an active pursuit, contrary to David's initial assumption that it was something that simply 'happened' to you.
• 🗣️ The pursuit of peace involves a series of proactive steps and attitudes such as rejoicing, gentleness, avoiding anxiety, giving thanks, and prayer, as outlined in Philippians.
• 🏰 David uses the metaphor of the Tower of London as a fortress to illustrate how God's peace guards and protects our hearts and minds, even amidst life's challenges.
• 🕊️ Despite being in prison and facing execution, Paul's letters from Philippians reveal a profound sense of contentment and peace, demonstrating that peace comes from a place beyond our circumstances.
• 💡 The peace that comes from God is described as 'transcending all understanding,' suggesting it is beyond human comprehension and is found in a relationship with Christ.
• ✝️ The peace of God, or 'shalom,' is not just an emotional state but a holistic state of well-being and right relationship with God and others, accessible even in the midst of mental health struggles.

Q & A

Who is David Ingall and what is his role at Burning Heart?

David Ingall is the founder and Ministry Director of Burning Heart. He is passionate about London and has experienced the city's various facets, from its cultural, financial, and political aspects to its stress and intensity.

What realization did David Ingall have while praying at his old church?

David Ingall realized that he was praying for peace for others but was not experiencing it in his own life, which led him to desire a change.

What common issue does David Ingall believe is prevalent in today's generation?

David Ingall believes that a lack of peace is a common issue in today's generation, affecting individuals across various life situations.

What biblical passage does David Ingall reference in his discussion about peace?

David Ingall references Philippians 4:4-9, which contains a promise of peace from God that has been transformative for him.

How does David Ingall interpret the promise of peace in Philippians?

David Ingall interprets the promise of peace as not just something that happens but as something that requires proactive pursuit, following a series of instructions and commands from Paul.

What does David Ingall suggest is the key to experiencing God's peace?

David Ingall suggests that the key to experiencing God's peace is following the instructions given by Paul in the Bible, which are like a recipe for peace.

What is the significance of the Tower of London in David Ingall's discussion about peace?

The Tower of London serves as an illustration of how God's peace acts as a fortress to guard and protect our hearts and minds, even amidst adversity.

How does David Ingall describe the nature of God's peace in contrast to worldly peace?

David Ingall describes God's peace as secure and unshakable, unlike the fragile peace the world offers, which can be easily disrupted by changes in health, prosperity, or life situations.

What does David Ingall mean when he says the peace of God 'transcends all understanding'?

David Ingall means that the peace of God is beyond our capacity to fully grasp or expect, and it is a deep and secure peace that comes from being in a right relationship with God through Christ.

How does David Ingall relate the concept of 'shalom' to the peace of God?

David Ingall relates 'shalom', a Hebrew word for completeness or wholeness, to the peace of God, emphasizing that it is not just about feelings but about being whole and secure in one's relationship with God and others.

What does David Ingall suggest for those struggling with mental health and seeking peace?

David Ingall suggests that God's peace is available to everyone, including those struggling with mental health, and that it is an existential peace that is not dependent on one's emotional state.

Outlines

00:00

🏙️ London's Impact on Personal Life

David Ingall, founder of Burning Heart, reflects on his deep connection with London, a city he admires for its diversity and vibrancy. Despite his love for the city, he acknowledges the stress and intensity that are part of London life, which he believes are also reflective of the weaknesses of his generation. He shares a personal revelation during a church service where he prayed for peace, realizing he lacked it himself. This realization led him to explore the concept of peace, particularly in the context of Philippians 4:4-9 from the Bible. David discusses the common struggle for peace in various aspects of life, such as social media pressures, family life, health issues, and job stress, and invites viewers to join him in a series exploring how to achieve peace.

05:10

📜 Pursuing Peace Through Biblical Instructions

In this segment, David Ingall delves into the concept of peace as presented in Philippians, emphasizing that peace is not a passive state but an active pursuit. He points out that the promise of God's peace is conditional, following a series of instructions from Paul. These instructions include rejoicing, being gentle, avoiding anxiety, giving thanks, and praying. David likens these instructions to a recipe for peace, suggesting that ignoring them would hinder the attainment of peace. He shares his personal transformation through these teachings, even amidst significant life changes and the pandemic. David uses the metaphor of the Tower of London as a fortress to illustrate how God's peace guards and protects us during challenging times, just as the tower protected its inhabitants.

10:11

🕊️ The Source of True Peace

David explores the idea that true peace comes from God and not from within ourselves. He contrasts the world's fragile peace, which is dependent on external circumstances, with the unshakable peace found in God. This divine peace is described as transcending all understanding and is rooted in Christ Jesus. David explains that this peace is not just an emotion but a state of being whole and secure in one's relationship with God and others. He reassures viewers that God's peace is accessible even during emotional turmoil, providing comfort and assurance that God is present and can bring peace regardless of one's mental or emotional state.

15:12

🌳 Flourishing in the Midst of Adversity

In the final paragraph, David discusses how to flourish and experience God's peace despite life's challenges. He shares his own experience of an anxiety breakdown and how he found solace in the peace of God. He emphasizes that the peace of God is not dependent on mental health but is a gift given through faith in Jesus Christ. David encourages viewers to pursue this peace through the teachings of Jesus, suggesting that it can be a source of strength even in the midst of emotional distress. He concludes with a prayer for strength and peace and invites viewers to engage with the series' resources for deeper exploration.

Keywords

💡Peace

Peace, in the context of the video, refers to a state of tranquility and harmony, particularly the 'peace of God' which is described as surpassing all understanding. It is central to the video's theme, as the speaker explores how to achieve and maintain this divine peace despite the stresses and challenges of life. The script uses the concept to contrast the fleeting peace found in worldly pursuits with the enduring peace found in a relationship with God.

💡Stress

Stress is mentioned as a common weakness of modern life, particularly in the context of busy cities like London. It is portrayed as an obstacle to experiencing God's peace, affecting individuals in various life stages and roles, such as students, parents, and professionals. The video discusses how the pursuit of peace is a response to the pervasive stress that people face.

💡God's Peace

God's Peace is a recurring concept in the script, emphasizing a divinely given sense of calm and security that is unattainable through human effort alone. It is described as something that 'will guard your hearts and minds,' indicating a protective and sustaining aspect. The video suggests that this peace is not passive but is to be actively pursued through specific actions and a relationship with God.

💡Philippians 4:4-9

This biblical passage is central to the video's exploration of peace. The speaker delves into these verses to understand how to experience God's peace. Philippians 4:4-9 is presented as a recipe for peace, with each instruction contributing to the overall promise of peace. The video uses this scripture to guide the discussion on how to actively pursue peace.

💡Pursuing Peace

Pursuing Peace is a key action emphasized in the video. It contrasts with a passive reception of peace, suggesting that individuals must take proactive steps to experience God's peace. The video encourages viewers to actively engage with the instructions from Philippians 4:4-9 as part of this pursuit, highlighting a journey rather than a destination.

💡Contentment

Contentment is discussed as a state of satisfaction and acceptance of one's circumstances, which Paul, even in prison, is said to have experienced. The video uses Paul's example to illustrate that contentment, and by extension peace, is possible regardless of external conditions and is rooted in one's relationship with God.

💡Mental Health

Mental Health is a significant theme in the video, with the speaker acknowledging the challenges of experiencing peace when struggling with mental health issues. The video suggests that God's peace is not dependent on one's mental state and can be experienced even amidst emotional turmoil, offering hope and a different perspective on peace for those with mental health challenges.

💡Shalom

Shalom, a Hebrew word, is used to convey a deeper and more comprehensive sense of peace than the English word. It implies wholeness, completeness, and right relationships with God and others. The video explains that God's peace, or 'shalom,' is an objective state of being that is not solely about feelings but about the integrity and harmony of one's life.

💡Recipe for Peace

The 'Recipe for Peace' is a metaphor used in the video to describe the series of instructions and commands from Philippians 4:4-9 as ingredients that, when followed, lead to the experience of God's peace. It suggests that peace is not accidental but the result of intentional actions and attitudes.

💡Strength in Jesus

Strength in Jesus is presented as the source of the ability to pursue peace and to endure hardships. The video emphasizes that the peace and contentment discussed are not self-generated but are received through a relationship with Jesus, who provides the strength to face life's challenges.

Highlights

London is celebrated for its diverse offerings, from theater glamour to financial might.

David Ingall shares his personal connection to London, highlighting the city's vibrancy and his own professional journey.

The narrative reveals a common struggle with the stress and intensity inherent in modern life, particularly in cities like London.

Ingall recounts a pivotal moment of self-realization during a church service, recognizing a lack of personal peace.

The concept of 'un-peace' is introduced as a widespread issue, affecting various demographics and life stages.

An invitation is extended to explore the transformational power of biblical teachings, specifically Philippians 4:4-9.

The peace of God is presented as a guaranteed promise, challenging the common perception of peace as a passive state.

Ingall discusses the proactive nature of pursuing peace, emphasizing the importance of active engagement with spiritual teachings.

The significance of the word 'and' in Philippians is explored, indicating a conditional aspect to receiving God's peace.

A list of spiritual instructions is provided as a 'recipe for peace,' including rejoicing, gentleness, and gratitude.

The peace of God is likened to a fortress, offering protection and security amidst life's challenges.

The Tower of London serves as a metaphor for the protective nature of God's peace, even in times of imprisonment and execution.

Paul's contentment amidst imprisonment is highlighted, underscoring the power of faith over circumstance.

The peace that comes from God is described as unshakable, contrasting with the world's fragile peace.

The 'peace of God' is explained as a comprehensive state of well-being and wholeness, not merely an emotional state.

Despite mental health struggles, historical figures like Martin Luther and Mother Teresa exemplify experiencing God's peace.

Ingall shares a personal testimony of finding peace in God during an anxiety breakdown, emphasizing its existential nature.

The series concludes with a prayer for strength and peace, and an invitation to engage with the content in a small group setting.

Transcripts

London is one of the world's great cities, from the glamour of a West End theater,

to the high finance of the City, or the history and power of  Parliament, it's got everything.

While I moved away recently, for most of my adult life it's  also been my home and where I've worked.

I'm David Ingall, founder and Ministry Director of Burning Heart, and I love London

and I've benefited and enjoyed being part of it. But I think I've also picked up some of its weaknesses -

particularly around the stress, busyness, and intensity of  London life, something which I think is also  

a weakness of our generation more generally. I realized that for me one day as I was leading a  

service in my old church. As I finished, I prayed  a prayer over everyone there that I used to pray  

at the end of most services: "May the peace of  God which passes all understanding guard your  

hearts and minds." I realized as I prayed,  that that peace I was praying over everyone  

else wasn't something that I was experiencing  in my own life - and I wanted that to change.

Sadly my issues and struggles in not experiencing  God's peace are all too common. Each of our  

stories is unique in the details, but lack  of peace seems to be common to many of them.  

Whether it's the student struggling to cope with  the pressures of social media, parents overwhelmed  

by family life, someone weighed down with health  problems, or the stresses of a high-intensity job,  

our world is full of un-peace. And if that's  you, then can I invite you to join me to explore  

together how that can change. We're going  to go back to that prayer for peace that I prayed  

over my congregation and like many of the best prayers it comes from the Bible, and a promise in Philippians

Exploring those words and the things Paul says  

around them has been transformative for me. My understanding and experience of peace has really  

changed, so in this series we're going to take  a deep dive into Philippians 4:4 to9 and what it  

shows us about peace. The first thing that strikes  me though is a problem - Paul promises us peace,  

he tells us that "the peace of God which passes  all understanding WILL guard your hearts and  

your minds" not might, or could, or sometimes,  but will. So why don't we always feel at peace?  

And asking and answering that question has  really been what set me going.

I think I'd always assumed that peace was something that 'just  happens' to you - or in my case, doesn't happen to you

I thought that God would give me his peace  regardless of what I did - and yet he hadn't.

So I went back to the promise and asked: "why not?  Is there something here that I've missed?"

And I realized that there was - the first word of the  promise, a word we usually miss or skip over, "and."

I'd always read the promise on  its own as a sort of standalone gift, but suddenly  

I realized that it isn't. The promise flows out of  what Paul has just been saying - if we we do that,  

then peace will follow. Peace isn't something that  'just happens' - it's something we can go after,  

something we need to go after. Which is why  I've not called this series 'experiencing peace'

but 'pursuing peace' - it's proactive.  And so we ask: "what comes before the and?"  

And the answer is a series of instructions and  commands. Our generation can often bristle at  

commands and being told 'do this' or 'do that,'  but God's instructions to us are never given to  

restrict or burden us, but to help us. And that's  particularly clear in these verses:

There's a whole bunch of things that Paul  

is telling us to do in these verses: rejoice,  be gentle, don't be anxious, give thanks, pray

They're like a recipe for peace in which  all of the commands come together in this promise  

of peace. It is like following a recipe - you can  obviously choose to ignore the instructions if you  

want but you won't get the results at the end if  you do. And Paul is telling us that each of these  

instructions is a key ingredient in the recipe for  God's peace. In the rest of the series we're going  

to explore each ingredient in turn, digging into  what all these instructions mean and how they can  

help us experience God's peace. Our list isn't  exhaustive though and there are lots of other  

helpful resources for pursuing peace which we find  elsewhere in the Bible, including in the very next  

verse, which we will also look at and which ends  with the promise that if we follow its advice "the  

God of Peace will be with you." For now though,  I want to ask what this all means for us and look  

more closely at the promise that "the peace of  God which transcends all understanding will guard  

your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  Starting by saying how much difference this  

has made in my life. In recent years I really have  experienced God's peace in a fresh and deeper way,  

even though they've been busy and tumultuous years  - I've moved job, become a dad for the first time,  

and like all of us, walked through pandemic  and lockdown. It's not been simple and yet I  

have known God's peace. I have a way to  go still, but this is now my experience  

and testimony in a way it wasn't before. And  I think it's significant that my experience  

of peace has come in the midst of busyness or  even adversity - because when we think of peace  

we tend to think of ways in which we can escape  from the stresses and strains of ordinary life,  

where we can just unwind and forget about  the busyness and pressures of our daily life,  

or we use guides and techniques to try and clear  our minds and switch off for some down time. And  

there is something in that - the scriptures talks  a lot about Sabbath and experiencing God's rest,  

but not as a way of escaping the troubles of life,  but as part of the rhythms and patterns for what  

it looks like to flourish more widely. And here  Paul doesn't promise that the peace of God will  

keep us from the pressures and struggles of life,  but that it will sustain us in the midst of them:  

"the peace of God will GUARD your  hearts and Minds in Christ Jesus."

The Tower of London is one of the most famous  castles in the world. These days it's a big  

tourist attraction, full of family fun and  entertainment, but its original purpose was  

very different. It was built by William the  Conqueror over 900 years ago and he was a  

foreign King worried and uncertain about London's  loyalty to him. And the tower was built as a  

fortress to guard and protect him in the midst of  a potentially hostile city and population. And I  

think that's a beautiful illustration of what  Paul is talking about here - the peace of God  

is like a fortress that guards and protects our  hearts and minds, not just when we're on holiday,  

or life's easy, but also when it's tough  and we're in the midst of the stress and  

struggles of life. That was certainly Paul's own  experience - just a few verses later he tells us:  

That's a pretty big thing to say at the best of times, but  for Paul this wasn't the best of times.

As well as a famous castle The Tower was historically one  of England's most feared and notorious jails and  

places of execution. When I look at its walls and  gates with that in mind and think about all those  

imprisoned inside over the years it's a sobering  and unsettling thought, but also one that helps me  

grasp Paul's situation when he wrote this letter,  because we know he was in prison at the time.

In chapter 1 he describes himself as "in chains  for Christ." Many scholars think that this was  

probably his final imprisonment before his trial  and execution. I don't know about you but I think  

I'd find that pretty stressful, and yet Paul in the midst of it

can describe himself as content, and talk of peace - how? Well, the key to understanding that

is to look at where Paul's peace comes from.

Peace and well-being are hot topics in our world today with thousands of competing answers

filling our social media feeds and conversations but one thing that all of them  

seem to have in common is the assumption that  if we want to find peace we need to look within ourselves.

But Paul's solution is very different  - he looks not to himself, but to God.

And what we're promised here is not some vague or general sense of peace, but the "peace of God"

which guards our hearts and minds not because of what we can do,

or the resources we can find in ourselves,   but "in Christ Jesus."

There's a fragility to the  peace the world can give,

it rests on our health, or prosperity, or situation in life, and as those shift or crack it can quickly give way.

But what we have in God is secure and unshakable, a rock  that holds firm no matter what life may throw at us

Because however strong and successful we may  be, there's always a limit to our strength and resources

but not God's. His strength and power will never run out

and his compassions and love never fail. And so God's peace holds firm even when all else crumbles.

Even as Paul writes from a a prison and knows that death may be close he can know this peace

because what he has 'in Christ Jesus' is is stronger even than death itself.

I think that's what he means when he says that the peace of God "transcends all understanding" -

it's beyond our capacity to grasp, and beyond what we could ever expect or hope for.

Which brings us to the question of: what does that look like?

What does it mean to experience the peace of God which  transcends all understanding?

Is it a feeling? Or an emotion? Something in our internal world?

Well - yeees? Paul does talk about it guarding our hearts and minds

and so we should expect it to have an  impact on our thoughts and feelings.

But it is also more than that. Paul would have been thinking about all the Old Testament

has to say about peace when he wrote this and

the Hebrew word "Shalom" is much bigger and richer than the English "Peace."

It comes from a word for completeness or wholeness  and it's focus is not primarily on how we feel

but how we ARE, whether our life is whole and as it  should be, and particularly whether that's true

in our relationships with others and with God.  There's something objective about God's peace.  

Shalom means being right with God and whole and  secure because of that. And that's not something  

we can earn but something we are given, as Paul puts it here, "in Christ Jesus."

And that's what makes the peace of God so utterly secure, and it also has big implications for what it means  

to experience God's peace, because it means that  it's not just about our emotions and thoughts and  

feelings. It's not the same as being calm and  laid back - what the world thinks of when it  

talks about peace - we can experience God's peace  "shalom" even when our minds and hearts

are all over the place. And this is maybe particularly  important for those who are struggling in this  

area to hear, such as with depression, or a  serious and enduring mental health condition, or  

grief, or simply lack of sleep. Paul's point here  is not that you've got it wrong, but that Jesus has  

already got it right for you and that he's with  you even in the midst of the storm and struggles  

that you're facing. Now I do believe that that  will have an impact on how you think and how you  

feel, that the peace of God can still guard your  heart and your mind even in the midst of emotional  

turmoil - but that comfort and assurance may not  always feel the same as being happy or relaxed

I think many people people out there believe that  you have to sort of be peaceful before you can  

really encounter God, and one of the challenges  facing many people exploring the Christian faith  

is that either they don't feel good enough for  the Christian faith, or they don't feel sorted out  

enough, particularly in their mental and emotional  health. The experience of some Christians in the  

church has been to feel stigmatized spiritually  because of their mental health problem.

And actually the inverse is true, in that many of the  founders of our faith have been people who've  

struggled with their mental health - they've  experienced God's peace despite their mental  

health distress. Take Martin Luther, who's the  father of the Reformation, he suffered from acute  

anxiety and some obsessive compulsive disorder  - he famously threw his paint pot at the Devil,  

Florence Nightingale who had bipolar disorder,  or William Cowper who had acute depression,  

or Charles Spurgeon who spent 20 years depressed,  or Mother Teresa who was depressed for most of her  

ministry of compassion. All these people had  a unique relationship with the peace of God  

despite quite acute emotional distress. That actually the Christian Gospel transcends our  

experience of mental health, God is present with us in that moment and can bring peace despite our circumstances.

I suffered from an acute anxiety breakdown in 2005 and I say my mind was incredibly disordered

and I was acutely distressed and yet the one thing I could hold on to was that

the peace of God was mine despite my mental health  experience. So one of the one of the most amazing  

realities for Christians is that my peace is not  dependent upon the settlement of my human mind,  

that my peace is something existential, something  beyond myself, that God can give me that peace in  

all circumstances. And for me holding on to the  peace of God despite my emotional turbulence,  

despite my acute distress, was something that really kept me going.

Our experience of the peace of God might not  always feel like holidays and happiness but that  

doesn't mean it can't be real. The Bible often  uses the image of a flourishing tree as a picture  

of life with God. And this tree, lush and strong in  the midst of the tarmac and concrete of city life,  

makes me think of Paul's description of himself as  content, or at peace, whatever the circumstances.  

How can we blossom and flourish and know God's  peace even when life seems to push against it?  

Well, a couple of verses later Paul tells us his secret:

On one level Paul's words are  very active, "I can DO all this."

But they're not self-reliant, because he knows he can only do them

"through him who gives me strength" - through Jesus.

And for the the rest of this series we're going  to explore what we can do to pursue God's peace,

and we'll look at the recipe and ingredients that Paul gives us here.

But one of the things that we'll discover is that all of them are rooted in our life with Jesus,

none of them makes any sense at all unless we do them "through him who gives us  strength."

And so as we finish this first episode, I want to pray that God would do just that

strengthen you and give you peace.

Lord Jesus thank you so much for your promises of peace - of shalom.

I pray that you would help and strengthen each of us  as we work through the rest of this passage,

that everyone watching might indeed know the peace of God which passes all understanding

and that it might guard their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Thanks so much for watching!

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