Christians keep trying to be peaceful

Christians keep trying to be peaceful - Ch 3 in Lifeskills

No. 3 Fruit of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22-23

In the book LIFESKILLS 101: Higher Core Values Winners Live by

Statistical benefits from living more peacefully

Each section in this study series uses research, statistical conclusions, Biblical promises and graphic information to persuade you to be a Christian or influence you to have a stronger faith. On the average the Christian faith delivers better health, greater happiness and prevents many self-generated problems. You will see this in the graphs and statistical data in the chapter.

BIBLICAL DESCRIPTIONS OF PEACE

THE HEBREW OR OLD TESTAMENT WORDS for "Peace"

Damam - used to indicate “keeping silent” (3 usages)

“Then Moses said to Aaron. . . and Aaron held his peace.” (Leviticus 10:3)

Charash - used to indicate “silence” or “deafness” (33 usages)

“For Zion’s sake I will not hold my peace.” (Isaiah 62:1)

Shalom - used indicate completeness, absence of conflict, unity, harmony (internally-externally), etc. (over 275 usages) “Joshua made peace with them. . . (people in the land of Canaan). .” (Joshua 9:15)

THE GREEK WORDS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT for "Peace"

Eirene - used to indicate unity, concord (harmony), a gift from God/Jesus, a blessing from God/Jesus (nearly 100 usages) “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you.” (John 14:27) — “We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1) — “Follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace . . .” (II Timothy 2:22) — “Go in peace and be whole of thy plague.” (Matthew 5:34) — “God is not the author of confusion, but of peace.” (I Corinthians 14:33)

THE WISDOM OF THE SOCIAL SCIENCES

The social sciences have done a lot of research on the concept of peace. Those sciences look for truth, as all science does. I don’t know of any research in the social sciences which contradicts the Biblical picture. The Biblical picture may even be more complete and comprehensive because different words are used to indicate different perspectives of the concept of peacefulness in persons. Obviously, the social sciences leave out any indication of God as the source of peace. The sciences simply find peace as some kind of learned lifeskill, which one gets from his/her family of origin, or from seeing it in another person, or from a lesson in a textbook. The research creating the results and charts in this book mostly focused on the kind of peace which happens between people. This is the most measurable kind of peacefulness. This concept of peacefulness is found in dozens of social science personality inventories. The concept is integral to counseling and mental health.

PEACE WITHIN THE HUMAN SOUL

Inner peace is more fundamental to humans. Inner peace generates outer peace. When it comes to this issue the social sciences have been very helpful. For nearly 100 years the social sciences have been demonstrating that unresolved conflict can turn into hostile aggression hurting someone, or turn inward into depression, hurting oneself. The social sciences give us some clear indications that, while peace may be a gift from God, unresolved conflicts and inner rages from past abuses can block, nullify and neutralize the gifts of God’s peace. Inner anger needs to be resolved either by self-disclosure, mediation,

dialogue, forgiveness, reconciliation, as stated by Jesus in Matthew 18:15-17.

OVERVIEW

Statistical benefits of higher peace

INNER PEACE IN TIMES OF STRESS

We all need inner peace.

We have anxieties, fears, hurts, and inner frustrations.

This presentation is geared to help you gain the best life by clearing up problems.

God, through Jesus Christ, has some very important guidelines.

INTERPERSONAL PEACE

We also suffer from bumping into each other.

We may not have peaceful relationships.

We do not always report our feelings and let others know. Instead, we yell.

This session is geared to show us the importance of dealing with those hurts.

THE BENEFITS OF MORE INNER AND INTERPERSONAL PEACE

You will see serious consequences of low-level peace.

You will see the great blessings of higher-level peacefulness.

The goal of this presentation is to help you to find more peace.

THE KEY THEME OF THIS MATERIAL

Persons who profess a belief in Jesus Christ, trust God’s Holy Spirit to work in their souls (psyche) and bring about elevated levels of Fruit(s) of the Spirit. Higher levels of Fruit(s) of the Spirit do not always occur automatically as a result of faith. Believers know they need to learn how to translate the best beliefs into the best behaviors, in order to obtain the most optimum outcome for health, happiness and well-being.

BEFORE WE GO FURTHER, IT MAY BE HELPFUL TO KNOW WHERE WE ARE IN THE PEACE versus HOSTILITY SPECTRUM.

HIGH “PEACEFULNESS” IS AT THE TOP, BUT HOSTILITY, ANGER, WRATH AND STRIFE (Gal 5) ARE AT THE OTHER END OF THE SPECTRUM.

TO FIND OUT WHERE WE STAND BETWEEN THE SYMPTOMS OF “PEACEFULNESS” AND THE SYMPTOMS OF “ANGER, WRATH, STRIFE, ENMITY, ETC.” EACH OF YOU IS BEING OFFERED A TEST TO SEE WHERE YOU ARE IN THAT SPECTRUM. HERE IS THAT TEST.

PART 1

YOU CAN USE THIS SET OF QUESTIONS TO MEASURE

YOUR GENERAL PEACEFULNESS LEVEL

Pick out the most appropriate response. Write the number of that response in the space provided by that statement.

0=Never, 1=Rarely, 2=Occasionally, 3=Sometimes, 4=Frequently, 5=Almost always

21. I am a peace-making person.

22. I will “bite my tongue” to keep peace.

23. I am a compromising person.

24. I’ll give in 50%, or more, to make peace.

25. I will negotiate by give and take to have harmony.

26. If someone offends me, I will talk it out with them.

27. People would say that I am a peace-maker.

28. Anger kept inside is a problem, so I get mine out.

29. I’m good at peace-making because I do not blow up.

30. I forgive people.

TOTAL raw score

(This is Segment No. 3 of Darrell Franken’s Christian Personality Profile built around the Fruit(s) of the Spirit. These questions are a synthesis of the questions found in 39 major published tests. Keep your scores to yourself.)

Take your TOTAL and go to the next page. Find your TOTAL raw score which is on the left side of the column.

CHANGING RAW SCORES TO PERCENTILES

Find your raw score in the left column, and the score next to it will be your percentile score. The percentile is your score in relation to a cross section of the general population. (Raw=%)

1=1st 11=3rd 21=8th 31=25th 41=83rd

2=1st 12=4th 22=9th 32=30th 42=87th

3=1st 13=4th 23=9th 33=35th 43=90th

4=1st 14=5th 24=10th 34=40th 44=92nd

5=1st 15=5th 25=10th 35=45th 45=93rd

6=1st 16=6th 26=12th 36=50th 46=94th

7=1st 17=6th 27=14th 37=58th 47=95th

8=2nd 18=7th 28=16th 38=66th 48=96th

9=2nd 19=7th 29=18th 39=73th 49=97th

10=3rd 20=8th 30=20th 40=80th 50=99th

(Example: If your raw score is 44, then your percentile score is 92, which means that 8 out of 100 persons are more “Peaceful” than you -- plus or minus about 5% points.)

As persons increase in age their raw scores and percentile scores become higher. High school students may feel their percentile scores are somewhat too low, and older persons may feel that their percentile scores are somewhat higher than is really true. It is difficult to make a test that identifies proper levels in all age groups, without it becoming too complicated for the average person. Many religiously devout persons are surprised their scores are as low as they are.

If your “PEACEfulness” score was low today, or you let your “PEACEfulness” slide toward “anger” tomorrow, there are statistical chances you will miss some earthly benefits. Let this information be a wake-up call, if necessary, to move you to higher levels of benefits.

REMEMBER YOUR PEACE PERCENTILE SCORE,

AND WE’LL LOOK AT A CHART THROUGH THE EYES OF ITS

PREDICTABILITY FOR SOME ISSUES IN YOUR LIFE.

“Fear cannot be gotten rid of by personal effort, but only by the ego’s absorption in a cause greater than its own interests.”

Aldous Huxley

NEXT, WE TURN TO PART 3 WHERE WE DISCUSS SOME ISSUES IN RAISING LEVELS OF PEACE, THE NO. 3 FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT.

PREDICTABILITY OF THE FRUIT(S) OF THE SPIRIT

The solid line is the PEACEFULNESS line. Find your PEACE score on that line. The prediction of your level of INFLUENCE is just above or below your PEACE score. For example, if you had a PEACE score of 74 (solid line) then your INFLUENCE level score is 57 (jagged line) just below it. That’s good, and it’s about double the INFLUENCE persons have who average very low in PEACEFULNESS (left, solid line).

The predictive validity is somewhere between 75% and 85%. You may even be an exception to that by any number of points. In general, persons with your score average just about that much INFLUENCE.

You are not doomed to that level. That is what Christianity is all about. Christian faith is not static. It is dynamic. It grows. It should grow. It matures. It develops. And if it does not grow and develop, what is wrong? Well maybe it is the low level of PEACEFULNESS, OR any other of the 9 FRUIT(S) OF THE SPIRIT.

DISCUSSION

Some persons may work hard to be spiritually PEACEFUL. And what about the person who spent a lifetime trying to deal with a horrid past of abuse and hurt? What about the Christian who lives in an environment where many family members are NOT PEACE-fully oriented, who yell, put down, cheat, lie, etc. Don’t some have more difficulty and resistance around them, to grow in PEACE and INFLUENCE?

GOD’S OPTIMUM LIFESKILLS ARE THE BEST ONES.

YOU SAW THIS CHART FOR ITS PREDICTION AND PROJECTION. Here is more information. THE HIGHER PEOPLES” AVERAGE PEACEFULNESS, THE STRONGER THEIR INFLUENCE. A person’s ability to be influential triples between the lowest 10% of PEACEFULNESS and the highest 10% of PEACEFUL people. This counteracts the idea that the most influential person is the one who has money, or the one who hollers and shouts the loudest.

God tells us how we can obtain PEACE as one of the factors that are associated with “influence.” “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed (fixed) on thee, because he trusted in thee” (Isaiah 26:3 KJ). So with faith in God, we have greater PEACE, which in turn, affects the level of our ability to “influence” others.

The founders of the Amway corporation have summer homes nearby. Their multi-level marketing corporation has gone worldwide. Most of us know that the founders, Richard De Vos and Jay Van Andel are committed to Christ and Christian lifeskills. Another, Edgar Prince, was the founder and owner of the Prince Corporation. The Prince Corporation makes consoles and other parts for the automotive industry. Ed Prince is no longer living and his company was sold. But our whole city knows Mr. Prince was a dedicated Christian. Also, locally, we have Jerald Haworth, the founder of the third largest office furniture manufacturer in the world. He is known for a lifelong history of faith and high values. Another local person, John Donnelly is President of the Donnelly Corporation, making mirrors and other parts for the auto industry. This community knows he is dedicated to God’s guidance. Max DePree, former CEO of the Herman Miller company, second largest manufacturer of office furniture in the world. He is a member of the church I attend. Kermit Campbell, former CEO of the Dow Chemical Company, is a member of our church. I know he is a person with higher levels of Fruit(s) of the Spirit. These are persons with high levels of influence. They are men of faith in God. They practice higher-level values.Besides these more well known persons in our community, are numerous other persons who are impassioned by Jesus, the Prince of Peace.

PREDICTABILITY OF THE FRUIT(S) OF THE SPIRIT

Would you ever have guessed that PEACEFULNESS and DRINKING ALCOHOL don’t go together? If you are a policeman, you know that drinking alcohol and fighting occur more often together than PEACEFULNESS and NO-DRINKING-ALCOHOL.

This chart says that a higher level of PEACEFULNESS helps prevent excessive use of alcohol and helps to keep people out of alcohol trouble.

Find your PEACEFULNESS score. Hopefully, it is in the higher level, on the right end of the solid upward sloping line. If it is, you can thank God for your PEACEFULNESS. It benefits you by helping to keep you out of excessive ALCOHOL DRINKING.

DISCUSSION

Almost everything in this Bible Study presentation is geared to help you understand the benefits you have by being a committed Christian. Discuss how Spirituality displaces alcohol.

“Do not get drunk with wine, which leads to debauchery (excessive indulgence in sensual pleasure). Instead be filled with the Spirit.” Ephesians 5:18 NIV

In what ways did early Christian express or show their PEACEFULNESS?

In what ways today can Christians express or show their PEACEFULNESS?

GOD WANTS YOU TO BE ON HIS FREQUENCY.

HIGHER LEVELS OF ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION (on the average) DO NOT ASSOCIATE WITH HIGHER LEVELS OF FRUIT(S) OF THE SPIRIT. There is an inverse association between alcohol consumption and spirituality for the majority of people. They don’t blend very well. They are generally at odds. On the average a person who drinks a lot of alcohol is about 20 to 25 percentiles lower in spirituality.

Is low spirituality a force that promotes higher alcohol consumption, or does higher alcohol consumption promote or cause lower spirituality? The research can’t tell you which is the cause, and which is the effect. However, we do have a clue when we look at it from a Biblical point of view rather than a research point of view. The solution is found in the fact that FRUIT(S) come out of BEING SPIRITUAL. The Fruit(s) are intermediaries which deliver benefits. Remember, first comes SPIRITUALITY. Then comes FRUIT(S). Then comes BEHAVIORS or consequences that flow from beliefs such as those named in Galatians 5:22-23; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Alcohol consumption flows out of one’s beliefs that alcohol has no effect on spirituality. With these statistics we now have renewed information about what blocks spirituality. At least one of those blockages is high-level alcohol consumption.

DISCUSS YOUR THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS?

By the time a person increases higher-level Fruit(s) of the Spirit, that person will probably have conquered an excessive alcohol consumption problem. Right or wrong! What would be the value of attending Alcoholics Anonymous in comparison to the value of raising one’s levels of the Fruit(s) of the Spirit?

HIGHER BENEFITS COME FROM HIGHER PEACE.

THE GRAPH SHOWS AVERAGE SCORES FOR 30 PERSONS IN EACH OF THE 10 LEVELS OF PEACEFULNESS. HOW HIGH IS YOUR SCORE? HOW MUCH DO YOU VALUE BEING A PEACE-DRIVEN PERSON?

REVIEW: Throughout this research the graphs are showing statistical relationships between Fruit(s) of the Spirit and other factors. When you see 10 bars, or when you see an up-down line with 10 little boxes with numbers in them like above, you need to understand that the numbers refer to the “average” for those persons who have risen to that level. Again, this is not a measurement of spirituality. It is the measurement of “Fruit(s).” It is not a measurement of being “born again” but a measurement of development.

The research is based on the belief that the Fruit(s) of the Spirit were measurable.

The author synthesized 342 personality factors around Fruit(s) of the Spirit.

1500 PERSONS IN PILOT STUDIES

300 RECORDS IN THE STATISTICAL STUDY.

TOTAL DATA BANK OF 1800 PERSONS

This is a Biblical, scientific and graphic presentation of the benefits of living at higher levels of the Fruit(s) of the Spirit.

Jesus said, “Blessed (benefitted) are the peacemakers” (Matthew 5:9).

If you are a skeptic who doubts the worth of being a Christian, in the next few pages you will see a few of the benefits.

FAITH IN GOD REDUCES STRESS IN 58 FACTORS.

THE GRAPH COMPARES PEOPLE WHO AVERAGE THE HIGHEST 10% LEVELS OF STRESS FACTORS (filled bars) and PEOPLE AVERAGING THE LOWER 10% LEVELS OF STRESS FACTORS (empty bars). The filled-bar people (higher stress) averaged the lowest PEACEFULNESS. The empty-bar people (highest PEACE), averaging in the top 10% of “peacefulness,” had the lowest level of stress.

THIS GRAPH INDICATES THAT PERSONS AVERAGING HIGHER LEVEL “PEACEFULNESS” (the empty-bar people) IN THE TOP 10% HAVE;

49.3% less stress in the 43 items of the Holmes and Rahe stress test

56% fewer medical illness symptoms

66.7% fewer symptoms of anxiety

113% fewer symptoms of depression

13.3% less marital dissatisfaction

31.2% MORE suppression of negative feelings

44.8% less job stress

08% less financial stress

500% fewer symptoms of alcohol stress (1/6th)

150% fewer problem smoking symptoms

11.4% less nutritionally poor eating

33.3% fewer symptoms of problematic sugar consumption

250% MORE WEIGHT problem

52.9% fewer allergy symptoms

GOD’S PEACE AND REDUCED ANXIETY

HERE WE SEE AN ASSOCIATION BETWEEN HIGHER-LEVEL PEACE, AND DECREASING ANXIETY. As peacefulness scores go up, average anxiety decreases.

People naturally think they would have less anxiety if they had an easier job that paid more. This is verified to some extent on the previous page. However, the graph on this page shows that reduced anxiety is associated with one’s spirituality, and other factors. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give unto you, not as the world gives” (John 14:27 KJ). A living faith in Jesus fortifies us from within. “He is our peace” (Ephesians 2:14 KJ). Prevention and reduction of most anxiety is a consequence of having faith in higher values. Jesus, faith, and worship raise the level of PEACEFULNESS. Both the Bible and research agree that PEACEFULNESS delivers benefits like anxiety reduction pictured in the graph above.

Stress management has been promoted as the road to a more peaceful existence. Stress management theory and practice grew up in the early 1980's. Exercise centers expanded. Counseling turned to biofeedback and relaxation exercises for certain emotional problems. Psychologists purchased electric equipment to measure Galvanic Skin Response, Electro Myographic (muscle electricity) response, skin temperature, etc. Relaxation tapes were produced by the millions. Subliminal messages (outside the range of cognition) were created and used.

All of these skills are helpful. Yet, there is a deeper peace that comes from God’s Word, God’s Spirit and God’s angels. Problem-solving and stress management skills help to foster PEACE in a number of ways. Yet, the psyche, the soul, nurtured by the promises of God, finds another form of PEACE through trusting in divine lifeskills.

HERE IS HOW TO STOP BEING EXPLOSIVE.

THE GRAPH SHOWS AN AVERAGE DROP OF ABOUT 50% IN EXPLOSIVENESS FOR PERSONS IN HIGHER-PEACEFULNESS (above the 70th percentile, at right end of horizontal bars).

Explosiveness often occurs as retaliation. It occurs when a person feels put-down or treated unfairly. Explosiveness occurs when a person’s soul is too filled with excessive hurt or anger, and not enough patience or forgiveness. With God’s help a person can learn this to be more peaceful.

“Don’t repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing (speaking well of). . . so that you may obtain a blessing (be spoken well of).” I Peter 3:9 NIV

Because of so much secular pressure, we need the church, the preaching, the Word of God and the Holy Spirit to keep this belief alive. Peer pressure will whittle your faith down without a body of support, the church. You need worship and small group Christian LifeSkills Study to keep your PEACE levels high enough to gain the highest benefits.

DISCUSS YOUR THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS?

Most people experience some hurt, some obstacle, some pressure and some pain. The statistics of the research being described indicate that higher level PEACE is a buffer against the emotional load that the sinful world delivers. What are you going to do to increase the amount of PEACE in your soul?

GODLINESS RAISES SELF-ESTEEM FASTER.

PERSONS WITH HIGHER PEACEFULNESS SCORES, ON THE AVERAGE ALSO HAVE HIGHER SELF-ESTEEM SCORES.

Increasing self-esteem can be traced to the indwelling Holy Spirit of God in Jesus Christ. It can be traced backwards through Fruit(s) of the Spirit, like PEACEFULNESS, to that which raises the levels of the Fruit(s) of the Spirit, namely the indelling spirit of Jesus Christ. Recall earlier, you were informed that persons who have higher scores in one of the Fruit(s) of the Spirit, generally have higher scores in all of the Fruit(s) of the Spirit. So if a person lets God work in his or her soul (spiritual core), there will be a general elevation of both the Fruit(s) and the consequential behaviors deriving from higher-level spirituality. Self-esteem is statistically related to higher levels of all the Fruit(s) of the Spirit.

This scientific pursuit demonstrates that you are not wasting your time by pursuing the indwelling Spirit of Jesus Christ, which we sometimes call the Holy Spirit. If you are a skeptic of Christianity, some of these statistics should help change your mind.

Self-esteem benefits await you. What are you waiting for? They are free. It’s the best deal in lifeskills! The place to start is with commitment to God and His Son Jesus Christ.

DISCUSS YOUR FEELINGS, THOUGHTS AND SOLUTIONS?

How can we get this good news out more effectively? How can we get this message to people who are only mildly interested? How can we get this information to people who seldom think a moral thought?

PART 2

LET’S FIX THE PEACE EQUIPMENT IN THE SOUL!

GOD, AND OUR BETTER COMMON SENSE, AND PERSONALITY SCIENTISTS AGREE THAT BEHAVIORS NEED TO BE FIXED . HOWEVER, BELIEFS COME BEFORE BEHAVIOR. REPAIRS NEED TO BE MADE REGARDING ONE’S BELIEFS. CHANGE NEEDS TO TAKE PLACE IN THE DEPTH OF THE SOUL (PSYCHE).

How do we fix PEACE or rebuild PEACE in our lives?

We will deal with these issues.

1. Making the soul rule over our biological nature

2. Becoming PEACEFUL models for others

3. Faith gives us some protection against the cruelties of this world.

4. Resolving real and imaginary guilt to gain peace

5. Daily resolve hostile feelings to achieve higher levels of peace.

6. If you need to grow more peace in your soul the Bible will teach you.

7. Practical guidelines for resolving interpersonal conflict.

1. MAKING THE SOUL RULE OVER OUR

BIOLOGICAL NATURE.

PEOPLE ARE CREATED IN THE IMAGE OF GOD. THEREFORE WE HAVE THE POTENTIAL OF BECOMING MORE LIKE GOD. THAT DELIVERS BENEFITS.

The spark of divinity ( soul) in us enables us to transcend the backward pull of our more animal-like impulsiveness and self-centeredness. Our hereditary and genetic makeup may differ a lot. Yet there are 9 basic factors that we can all develop. They are the 9 Fruit(s) of the Spirit. They come out of being more spiritual. The figure above shows a “spirit” segment. This is where your values reside. When you value something your human spirit holds it here. The body, mind and soul (psyche) have access to the spirit. The spirit helps influence the decision-making processes.

If you do not value peace, you will generally have a low-level amount of peace inside yourself or in your behavior. The statistics in the early part of this chapter tell us that there are very few benefits to an individual who has low-level peace. Therefore, the graphs and Bible verses are here to persuade you to remove as many obstacles as you can to find a higher level of PEACE. You will benefit from a faith that puts God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit deeply into your SPIRIT, your PSYCHE (soul), and your MIND.

DISCUSS YOUR FEELINGS AND THOUGHTS?

Genetic disorders, germs, viruses, accidents, natural disasters, unkind people, random acts of violence, and many other forces continually undermine our inner PEACE. How do people behave who have no faith in God when these forces attack them?

2. BECOMING A PEACE MODEL FOR OTHERS

SOME PERSONS GROW UP WITHOUT ADEQUATE PEACE MODELS. THEY DO NOT KNOW HOW BADLY HATE AND CONFLICT AFFECTED THEM.

In this research project people were asked about their childhood home life. They were asked if their parents were: 1. cold or warm, 2. arguing some, little, much, 3. violent or not, 4. abusive. Those who were treated worst averaged 27.9% more stressful experiences in 43 factors in the Holmes and Rahe Stress test. Those same persons, later in life, averaged 75.9% more illness incidents.

Learn from the Bible’s optimum lifeskills directions. “Anger is cruel” (Proverbs 24:4 KJ). “Better is a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool caught in his folly” (Proverbs 17:12 KJ). “Rage killeth the foolish person” (Job 5:2 KJ). “Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath (rage)” (Ephesians 6:4 KJ). If you become committed to the church, its programs will keep reminding you of optimum lifeskills that deliver benefits.

We need to take a new step in teaching values. I know counseling helps a few persons quite a lot, but most persons drop out too soon. Sometimes insurance payments stop too quickly. People expect quick fixes. They don’t seem to think they can be trained to get to the top. People do not seem to expect to study, learn, grow, mature, and zoom to higher levels of values, where the benefits are. Pursuing optimum lifeskills through certain churches is associated with some statistical benefits.

DISCUSS YOUR FEELINGS AND THOUGHTS?

The influence of the church is a lot stronger than most of us realize. Is this study/discussion approach cinching up your saddle so you ride with the church more faithfully?

3. FAITH GIVES US SOME PROTECTION AGAINST THE CRUELTIES OF THIS WORLD.

DEPRESSION CAN OCCUR IN THE PSYCHE, THE SOUL. THAT AFFECTS THE CHEMICALS IN YOUR BODY.

Doctors evaluate the severity of your depression with a dexamethasone suppression test (in the blood). Prescription medicines may be needed to counteract your depression illness. The statistics of the research being reported in this book showed that persons with higher levels of PEACE had lower amounts of depression. That is good news. We see research verifying the fact that faith has some benefits.

God has something to say about depression that research supports. Look at the words of the Psalmist. “Oh my God, my soul is cast down (depressed) within me” (Psalm 42:5). The next verse is like a choir responding to the Psalmist. “Put your hope in God” (Psalm 42:5 KJ). “Yet I am standing here depressed and gloomy, (then comes the choir’s response) but I will meditate upon your kindness . . . All your waves and billows have gone over me, and floods of sorrow pour upon me like a thundering cataract. Yet, day by day the Lord pours out his steadfast love upon me. . . (The choir’s response.) Expect God to act” (Psalm 42:6-9 LB).

Faith in God, and belief in Jesus His Son, has some preventive power as well as therapeutic power. Unfortunately, some tragic events are so overwhelming that a person may need the medical world’s medicine to speed up response time and prevent further complications. — “Forget not all his benefits” (Psalm 103:2).

DISCUSS YOUR THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS?

When crises, conflict and disaster turn against you, do you have enough spiritual PEACE to prevent being overly depressed? With God’s PEACE in your soul will you bounce back quicker if you do get depressed?

4. RESOLVING REAL AND IMAGINARY GUILT TO GAIN PEACE

MISSING PICTURE! SORRY!

THIS IS A PICTURE OF ONE OF THE MOST SILENT KILLERS OF PEACE.

Guilt is very emotionally destructive and turns certain persons into blaming, denying, rationalization, projection, suppression, regression and many other despised behaviors. Some persons learn to deny (lie), blame, suppress, etc., from abusive parents and continue the habit throughout their lives. These people are sometimes unconscious of the extent of their behavior and no one wants to tell them. As a result such a person has ever increasing misery. No PEACE.

My professional counsel was sought by a married woman. She perceived that the problem was in her marriage. She described her husbands behavior. She felt she was blamed for many things. She also described her husband’s activities and comments at home and at work. His behaviors sounded strangely neurotic with many of the neurotic defense mechanisms like denial, blaming, rationalizing, projecting, suppressing, repressing, etc. After a time it began to appear that this wife was personally accepting blame for things. He had projected blame on her. He denied his affect on her. He seemed to rationalize in many ways in order to escape guilt, which he projected on her. She saw him function the same way in the small business where he was Vice President. She said her husband’s company was approaching bankruptcy. So was her marriage. Unfortunately, both his and her lack of awareness about these neurotic behaviors was corrupting his job and his marriage. She took on some imaginary guilt symptoms.

PEACE comes when these secrets of the soul are exposed by confession. If you think confession is silly, you may miss out on finding deeper PEACE. Confession to God may be just the first step. Dealing with a guilt-inducing person may be the second. “Whoever conceals his transgressions (sin) will not prosper. He who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy” (Proverbs 28:13).

5. DAILY RESOLVE HOSTILE FEELINGS

TO ACHIEVE HIGHER PEACE

THE FIGURE SHOWS A PERSON LOOKING TO A HIGHER AUTHORITY FOR PEACE.

Worship encourages PEACE. The 19% who said they “never” worship averaged 11.3% more stress in the 43 categories identified by the Holmes and Rahe stress test. The same group of non-worshipers averaged 9% more stress in the 15 stress factors of the Christian Personality Profile. Regular worship encourages a person to maintain a higher level of values that contribute to a less stressful life.

Remember the disciple of Jesus who wanted to see the healed nail prints in Jesus hands and the scar where the soldier’s spear pierced his side. His name was Thomas. He has been called Doubting Thomas ever since. He wanted more evidence for his mind, heart and soul. There are many Doubting Thomas persons who need some more evidence. Hopefully, the research evidence presented here may help you to make a strong affirmation and commitment.

DISCUSS YOUR THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS?

How much effort do you believe a person must put into keeping PEACE at a benefits-producing level?

6. IF YOU NEED TO GROW MORE PEACE

IN YOUR SOUL THE BIBLE WILL TEACH YOU.

THE BIBLE IS THE SOURCE OF GOD’S OPTIMUM LIFESKILLS.

To get into a higher bracket of PEACE, one can get a great amount of help from God.

“Thou (God) will keep him in perfect PEACE, whose mind is stayed (fixed) on thee (God)” (Isaiah 26:3 KJ).

“He (Jesus) is our peace” (Ephesians 2:14 KJ).

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and PEACE in believing” (Romans 15:13 RSV).

“Being angry, do not let the sun go down on your wrath, lest you give opportunity to the devil” (Ephesians 4:26).

“Stop being mean, bad-tempered and angry” (Ephesians 4:31 LB).

“Love your enemies” (Matthew 5:44).

All the evidence points in the direction of the Bible being a mighty source of practical advice. In the Bible we can learn what it takes for a person to beat the sinful systems in this world.

DISCUSS YOUR THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS?

The name of Martin Luther King is nearly synonymous with PEACE. He was killed about 30 years ago. There was a lot of PEACE-talk during the Vietnam War. Now we have nearly 500 murders a week in the USA. What can the church do to generate more PEACE inside human souls?

7. PRACTICAL GUIDELINES FOR RESOLVING

INTERPERSONAL CONFLICT.

CLEAN UP YOUR INTERPERSONAL CONFLICTS QUICKLY. USE CONFESSION. USE APOLOGY. GET OTHERS TO APOLOGIZE. USE FORGIVENESS.

Both God and the statistical research indicate that we need to keep an eagle eye looking for hidden negative feelings that destroy PEACE, the No. 3 Fruit of the Spirit.

Jesus once told us about a 4-step problem-solving approach to a more peaceful existence. He said, “(1) If your brother sins (offends, trespasses) against you, go and tell him his offense, between you and him alone. If he listens, you have gained your brother. (2) But if he does not listen take one or two others along with you that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. (3) If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church (a leader, professional). (4) And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector” (Matthew 18:15-17).

It is best to deal with a problem face to face, somewhat like Jesus indicated. However, we seldom see this, so we do not learn it very easily. Perhaps we need to learn it. In some cases it might be good to put our thoughts down on paper, clean it up so we are not offensive and then deliver or send it through the mail. Don’t use attacking language. Just recount the situation and say how you feel. No attacks. No name calling. No judgmental accusations. Tell the person how you felt hurt over the issue. You may need to do this to unblock progress toward higher levels of PEACE.

DISCUSS YOUR THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS?

What are some of the hazards and/or benefits in talking to people who offend you?

ILLUSTRATION OF GAINING PEACE BY WRITING

Mary was offended by a clerk in a jewelry store. It was not a big problem, but it bothered her. She read Matthew 18:15-17 and decided to write the store a letter. Here is the letter she wrote.

Dear Jewelry Company

Yesterday, while in your store an incident occurred which I feel needs to be taken care of.

I brought my mother to your store to make a payment on a ring she has in lay-away. The girl who waited on her treated her very rudely and I do not understand why, as I could see there was no reason for it. Before the transaction was completed she spoke very harshly at my mother, slammed a drawer and walked away, leaving another sales person to finish her job. My mother and I were baffled and upset that we would be treated that way.

I personally felt the need to speak to the manager about the situation and when I did his first comment was, ‘ I did not hear anything.’ At that point I became a bit tongue-tied (a problem I am trying to overcome) and couldn’t speak, which is why I am writing this letter.

I do believe the manager should have handled this incident more diplomatically and should talk to his salesperson about what happened.

Sincerely,

(Actual letter)

Dear Jewelry Company

Yesterday, while in your store an incident occurred which I feel needs to be taken care of.

I do believe the manager should have handled this incident more diplomatically and should talk to his salesperson about what happened.

Sincerely,

(Actual letter)

Here is the reply she received.

Dear Customer,

I am very sorry if you feel that my young saleslady was rude to you the other day. I had a good talk with her and she claims she did not mean to offend you. All the drawers in that case sound as if you slam them when all you do is just shut them ordinarily, and she also had to turn you over to the office girl, as she does not do the office work. Again I wish to apologize if you were hurt in any way. To make amends, I will lower your repair charge to $10.00 when you come in.

Sincerely, (Actual reply)

MY PERSONAL COMMITMENT TO PEACE

EXAMPLES

1. I dedicate myself to being more peaceful than hostile. I know that increasing benefits come to persons who are increasingly more peaceful. I pledge to curb my tongue when _________________.

2. I have lived with my somewhat combative nature. I need to listen more. I need to ask more questions than I give opinions, especially at ______________.

3. If the Alcoholics Anonymous Twelve-Step program requires me to make amends with people I may have offended, then it makes sense that I raise my level of PEACE by going to __________________ and confess I have not sought after PEACE.

4. I need to forgive _________________ for the offensive behaviors I experienced, otherwise I will lose some of the benefits of being a Christian.

5. I have a temper that gets me into trouble. I will recite and keep reciting the promises of God that PEACE brings benefits. I will tell my friends ______, ______, ______, ______, _____, and ask them to remind me of my pledge to control my temper.

6. I carry some hostile feelings against ______________ because of __________ and I will ask God to show me how to resolve the problem by going directly to that person and talking about my feelings.

7. Here is my private irritation or hurt that I still can’t talk about. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

THAT’S ALL FOLKS

“PEACE” Benefits you!

LIFESKILLS TRAINING CENTER \| Home \| Ch.1. LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF \| Christians believe in JOY and CHEERFULNESS \| Christians keep trying to be peaceful - Ch 3 in Lifeskills \| Christians keep trying to be PATIENCE and TOLERANT \| Random acts of kindness \| Christians believe in the generosity virtue \| Christians seek to be trusted persons \| Gentleness is a universal value \| Self control is a universal virtue
Click on arrows to read and print out chapters.	Christians keep trying to be peaceful - Ch 3 in Lifeskills No. 3 Fruit of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22-23 In the book LIFESKILLS 101: Higher Core Values Winners Live by Statistical benefits from living more peacefully Each section in this study series uses research, statistical conclusions, Biblical promises and graphic information to persuade you to be a Christian or influence you to have a stronger faith. On the average the Christian faith delivers better health, greater happiness and prevents many self-generated problems. You will see this in the graphs and statistical data in the chapter. BIBLICAL DESCRIPTIONS OF PEACE THE HEBREW OR OLD TESTAMENT WORDS for "Peace" Damam - used to indicate “keeping silent” (3 usages) “Then Moses said to Aaron. . . and Aaron held his peace.” (Leviticus 10:3) Charash - used to indicate “silence” or “deafness” (33 usages) “For Zion’s sake I will not hold my peace.” (Isaiah 62:1) Shalom - used indicate completeness, absence of conflict, unity, harmony (internally-externally), etc. (over 275 usages) “Joshua made peace with them. . . (people in the land of Canaan). .” (Joshua 9:15) THE GREEK WORDS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT for "Peace" Eirene - used to indicate unity, concord (harmony), a gift from God/Jesus, a blessing from God/Jesus (nearly 100 usages) “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you.” (John 14:27) — “We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1) — “Follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace . . .” (II Timothy 2:22) — “Go in peace and be whole of thy plague.” (Matthew 5:34) — “God is not the author of confusion, but of peace.” (I Corinthians 14:33) THE WISDOM OF THE SOCIAL SCIENCES The social sciences have done a lot of research on the concept of peace. Those sciences look for truth, as all science does. I don’t know of any research in the social sciences which contradicts the Biblical picture. The Biblical picture may even be more complete and comprehensive because different words are used to indicate different perspectives of the concept of peacefulness in persons. Obviously, the social sciences leave out any indication of God as the source of peace. The sciences simply find peace as some kind of learned lifeskill, which one gets from his/her family of origin, or from seeing it in another person, or from a lesson in a textbook. The research creating the results and charts in this book mostly focused on the kind of peace which happens between people. This is the most measurable kind of peacefulness. This concept of peacefulness is found in dozens of social science personality inventories. The concept is integral to counseling and mental health. PEACE WITHIN THE HUMAN SOUL Inner peace is more fundamental to humans. Inner peace generates outer peace. When it comes to this issue the social sciences have been very helpful. For nearly 100 years the social sciences have been demonstrating that unresolved conflict can turn into hostile aggression hurting someone, or turn inward into depression, hurting oneself. The social sciences give us some clear indications that, while peace may be a gift from God, unresolved conflicts and inner rages from past abuses can block, nullify and neutralize the gifts of God’s peace. Inner anger needs to be resolved either by self-disclosure, mediation, dialogue, forgiveness, reconciliation, as stated by Jesus in Matthew 18:15-17. OVERVIEW Statistical benefits of higher peace INNER PEACE IN TIMES OF STRESS We all need inner peace. We have anxieties, fears, hurts, and inner frustrations. This presentation is geared to help you gain the best life by clearing up problems. God, through Jesus Christ, has some very important guidelines. INTERPERSONAL PEACE We also suffer from bumping into each other. We may not have peaceful relationships. We do not always report our feelings and let others know. Instead, we yell. This session is geared to show us the importance of dealing with those hurts. THE BENEFITS OF MORE INNER AND INTERPERSONAL PEACE You will see serious consequences of low-level peace. You will see the great blessings of higher-level peacefulness. The goal of this presentation is to help you to find more peace. THE KEY THEME OF THIS MATERIAL Persons who profess a belief in Jesus Christ, trust God’s Holy Spirit to work in their souls (psyche) and bring about elevated levels of Fruit(s) of the Spirit. Higher levels of Fruit(s) of the Spirit do not always occur automatically as a result of faith. Believers know they need to learn how to translate the best beliefs into the best behaviors, in order to obtain the most optimum outcome for health, happiness and well-being. BEFORE WE GO FURTHER, IT MAY BE HELPFUL TO KNOW WHERE WE ARE IN THE PEACE versus HOSTILITY SPECTRUM. HIGH “PEACEFULNESS” IS AT THE TOP, BUT HOSTILITY, ANGER, WRATH AND STRIFE (Gal 5) ARE AT THE OTHER END OF THE SPECTRUM. TO FIND OUT WHERE WE STAND BETWEEN THE SYMPTOMS OF “PEACEFULNESS” AND THE SYMPTOMS OF “ANGER, WRATH, STRIFE, ENMITY, ETC.” EACH OF YOU IS BEING OFFERED A TEST TO SEE WHERE YOU ARE IN THAT SPECTRUM. HERE IS THAT TEST. PART 1 YOU CAN USE THIS SET OF QUESTIONS TO MEASURE YOUR GENERAL PEACEFULNESS LEVEL Pick out the most appropriate response. Write the number of that response in the space provided by that statement. 0=Never, 1=Rarely, 2=Occasionally, 3=Sometimes, 4=Frequently, 5=Almost always 21. I am a peace-making person. 22. I will “bite my tongue” to keep peace. 23. I am a compromising person. 24. I’ll give in 50%, or more, to make peace. 25. I will negotiate by give and take to have harmony. 26. If someone offends me, I will talk it out with them. 27. People would say that I am a peace-maker. 28. Anger kept inside is a problem, so I get mine out. 29. I’m good at peace-making because I do not blow up. 30. I forgive people. TOTAL raw score (This is Segment No. 3 of Darrell Franken’s Christian Personality Profile built around the Fruit(s) of the Spirit. These questions are a synthesis of the questions found in 39 major published tests. Keep your scores to yourself.) Take your TOTAL and go to the next page. Find your TOTAL raw score which is on the left side of the column. CHANGING RAW SCORES TO PERCENTILES Find your raw score in the left column, and the score next to it will be your percentile score. The percentile is your score in relation to a cross section of the general population. (Raw=%) 1=1st 11=3rd 21=8th 31=25th 41=83rd 2=1st 12=4th 22=9th 32=30th 42=87th 3=1st 13=4th 23=9th 33=35th 43=90th 4=1st 14=5th 24=10th 34=40th 44=92nd 5=1st 15=5th 25=10th 35=45th 45=93rd 6=1st 16=6th 26=12th 36=50th 46=94th 7=1st 17=6th 27=14th 37=58th 47=95th 8=2nd 18=7th 28=16th 38=66th 48=96th 9=2nd 19=7th 29=18th 39=73th 49=97th 10=3rd 20=8th 30=20th 40=80th 50=99th (Example: If your raw score is 44, then your percentile score is 92, which means that 8 out of 100 persons are more “Peaceful” than you -- plus or minus about 5% points.) As persons increase in age their raw scores and percentile scores become higher. High school students may feel their percentile scores are somewhat too low, and older persons may feel that their percentile scores are somewhat higher than is really true. It is difficult to make a test that identifies proper levels in all age groups, without it becoming too complicated for the average person. Many religiously devout persons are surprised their scores are as low as they are. If your “PEACEfulness” score was low today, or you let your “PEACEfulness” slide toward “anger” tomorrow, there are statistical chances you will miss some earthly benefits. Let this information be a wake-up call, if necessary, to move you to higher levels of benefits. REMEMBER YOUR PEACE PERCENTILE SCORE, AND WE’LL LOOK AT A CHART THROUGH THE EYES OF ITS PREDICTABILITY FOR SOME ISSUES IN YOUR LIFE. “Fear cannot be gotten rid of by personal effort, but only by the ego’s absorption in a cause greater than its own interests.” Aldous Huxley NEXT, WE TURN TO PART 3 WHERE WE DISCUSS SOME ISSUES IN RAISING LEVELS OF PEACE, THE NO. 3 FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT. PREDICTABILITY OF THE FRUIT(S) OF THE SPIRIT The solid line is the PEACEFULNESS line. Find your PEACE score on that line. The prediction of your level of INFLUENCE is just above or below your PEACE score. For example, if you had a PEACE score of 74 (solid line) then your INFLUENCE level score is 57 (jagged line) just below it. That’s good, and it’s about double the INFLUENCE persons have who average very low in PEACEFULNESS (left, solid line). The predictive validity is somewhere between 75% and 85%. You may even be an exception to that by any number of points. In general, persons with your score average just about that much INFLUENCE. You are not doomed to that level. That is what Christianity is all about. Christian faith is not static. It is dynamic. It grows. It should grow. It matures. It develops. And if it does not grow and develop, what is wrong? Well maybe it is the low level of PEACEFULNESS, OR any other of the 9 FRUIT(S) OF THE SPIRIT. DISCUSSION Some persons may work hard to be spiritually PEACEFUL. And what about the person who spent a lifetime trying to deal with a horrid past of abuse and hurt? What about the Christian who lives in an environment where many family members are NOT PEACE-fully oriented, who yell, put down, cheat, lie, etc. Don’t some have more difficulty and resistance around them, to grow in PEACE and INFLUENCE? GOD’S OPTIMUM LIFESKILLS ARE THE BEST ONES. YOU SAW THIS CHART FOR ITS PREDICTION AND PROJECTION. Here is more information. THE HIGHER PEOPLES” AVERAGE PEACEFULNESS, THE STRONGER THEIR INFLUENCE. A person’s ability to be influential triples between the lowest 10% of PEACEFULNESS and the highest 10% of PEACEFUL people. This counteracts the idea that the most influential person is the one who has money, or the one who hollers and shouts the loudest. God tells us how we can obtain PEACE as one of the factors that are associated with “influence.” “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed (fixed) on thee, because he trusted in thee” (Isaiah 26:3 KJ). So with faith in God, we have greater PEACE, which in turn, affects the level of our ability to “influence” others. The founders of the Amway corporation have summer homes nearby. Their multi-level marketing corporation has gone worldwide. Most of us know that the founders, Richard De Vos and Jay Van Andel are committed to Christ and Christian lifeskills. Another, Edgar Prince, was the founder and owner of the Prince Corporation. The Prince Corporation makes consoles and other parts for the automotive industry. Ed Prince is no longer living and his company was sold. But our whole city knows Mr. Prince was a dedicated Christian. Also, locally, we have Jerald Haworth, the founder of the third largest office furniture manufacturer in the world. He is known for a lifelong history of faith and high values. Another local person, John Donnelly is President of the Donnelly Corporation, making mirrors and other parts for the auto industry. This community knows he is dedicated to God’s guidance. Max DePree, former CEO of the Herman Miller company, second largest manufacturer of office furniture in the world. He is a member of the church I attend. Kermit Campbell, former CEO of the Dow Chemical Company, is a member of our church. I know he is a person with higher levels of Fruit(s) of the Spirit. These are persons with high levels of influence. They are men of faith in God. They practice higher-level values.Besides these more well known persons in our community, are numerous other persons who are impassioned by Jesus, the Prince of Peace. PREDICTABILITY OF THE FRUIT(S) OF THE SPIRIT Would you ever have guessed that PEACEFULNESS and DRINKING ALCOHOL don’t go together? If you are a policeman, you know that drinking alcohol and fighting occur more often together than PEACEFULNESS and NO-DRINKING-ALCOHOL. This chart says that a higher level of PEACEFULNESS helps prevent excessive use of alcohol and helps to keep people out of alcohol trouble. Find your PEACEFULNESS score. Hopefully, it is in the higher level, on the right end of the solid upward sloping line. If it is, you can thank God for your PEACEFULNESS. It benefits you by helping to keep you out of excessive ALCOHOL DRINKING. DISCUSSION Almost everything in this Bible Study presentation is geared to help you understand the benefits you have by being a committed Christian. Discuss how Spirituality displaces alcohol. “Do not get drunk with wine, which leads to debauchery (excessive indulgence in sensual pleasure). Instead be filled with the Spirit.” Ephesians 5:18 NIV In what ways did early Christian express or show their PEACEFULNESS? In what ways today can Christians express or show their PEACEFULNESS? GOD WANTS YOU TO BE ON HIS FREQUENCY. HIGHER LEVELS OF ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION (on the average) DO NOT ASSOCIATE WITH HIGHER LEVELS OF FRUIT(S) OF THE SPIRIT. There is an inverse association between alcohol consumption and spirituality for the majority of people. They don’t blend very well. They are generally at odds. On the average a person who drinks a lot of alcohol is about 20 to 25 percentiles lower in spirituality. Is low spirituality a force that promotes higher alcohol consumption, or does higher alcohol consumption promote or cause lower spirituality? The research can’t tell you which is the cause, and which is the effect. However, we do have a clue when we look at it from a Biblical point of view rather than a research point of view. The solution is found in the fact that FRUIT(S) come out of BEING SPIRITUAL. The Fruit(s) are intermediaries which deliver benefits. Remember, first comes SPIRITUALITY. Then comes FRUIT(S). Then comes BEHAVIORS or consequences that flow from beliefs such as those named in Galatians 5:22-23; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Alcohol consumption flows out of one’s beliefs that alcohol has no effect on spirituality. With these statistics we now have renewed information about what blocks spirituality. At least one of those blockages is high-level alcohol consumption. DISCUSS YOUR THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS? By the time a person increases higher-level Fruit(s) of the Spirit, that person will probably have conquered an excessive alcohol consumption problem. Right or wrong! What would be the value of attending Alcoholics Anonymous in comparison to the value of raising one’s levels of the Fruit(s) of the Spirit? HIGHER BENEFITS COME FROM HIGHER PEACE. THE GRAPH SHOWS AVERAGE SCORES FOR 30 PERSONS IN EACH OF THE 10 LEVELS OF PEACEFULNESS. HOW HIGH IS YOUR SCORE? HOW MUCH DO YOU VALUE BEING A PEACE-DRIVEN PERSON? REVIEW: Throughout this research the graphs are showing statistical relationships between Fruit(s) of the Spirit and other factors. When you see 10 bars, or when you see an up-down line with 10 little boxes with numbers in them like above, you need to understand that the numbers refer to the “average” for those persons who have risen to that level. Again, this is not a measurement of spirituality. It is the measurement of “Fruit(s).” It is not a measurement of being “born again” but a measurement of development. The research is based on the belief that the Fruit(s) of the Spirit were measurable. The author synthesized 342 personality factors around Fruit(s) of the Spirit. 1500 PERSONS IN PILOT STUDIES 300 RECORDS IN THE STATISTICAL STUDY. TOTAL DATA BANK OF 1800 PERSONS This is a Biblical, scientific and graphic presentation of the benefits of living at higher levels of the Fruit(s) of the Spirit. Jesus said, “Blessed (benefitted) are the peacemakers” (Matthew 5:9). If you are a skeptic who doubts the worth of being a Christian, in the next few pages you will see a few of the benefits. FAITH IN GOD REDUCES STRESS IN 58 FACTORS. THE GRAPH COMPARES PEOPLE WHO AVERAGE THE HIGHEST 10% LEVELS OF STRESS FACTORS (filled bars) and PEOPLE AVERAGING THE LOWER 10% LEVELS OF STRESS FACTORS (empty bars). The filled-bar people (higher stress) averaged the lowest PEACEFULNESS. The empty-bar people (highest PEACE), averaging in the top 10% of “peacefulness,” had the lowest level of stress. THIS GRAPH INDICATES THAT PERSONS AVERAGING HIGHER LEVEL “PEACEFULNESS” (the empty-bar people) IN THE TOP 10% HAVE; 49.3% less stress in the 43 items of the Holmes and Rahe stress test 56% fewer medical illness symptoms 66.7% fewer symptoms of anxiety 113% fewer symptoms of depression 13.3% less marital dissatisfaction 31.2% MORE suppression of negative feelings 44.8% less job stress 08% less financial stress 500% fewer symptoms of alcohol stress (1/6th) 150% fewer problem smoking symptoms 11.4% less nutritionally poor eating 33.3% fewer symptoms of problematic sugar consumption 250% MORE WEIGHT problem 52.9% fewer allergy symptoms GOD’S PEACE AND REDUCED ANXIETY HERE WE SEE AN ASSOCIATION BETWEEN HIGHER-LEVEL PEACE, AND DECREASING ANXIETY. As peacefulness scores go up, average anxiety decreases. People naturally think they would have less anxiety if they had an easier job that paid more. This is verified to some extent on the previous page. However, the graph on this page shows that reduced anxiety is associated with one’s spirituality, and other factors. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give unto you, not as the world gives” (John 14:27 KJ). A living faith in Jesus fortifies us from within. “He is our peace” (Ephesians 2:14 KJ). Prevention and reduction of most anxiety is a consequence of having faith in higher values. Jesus, faith, and worship raise the level of PEACEFULNESS. Both the Bible and research agree that PEACEFULNESS delivers benefits like anxiety reduction pictured in the graph above. Stress management has been promoted as the road to a more peaceful existence. Stress management theory and practice grew up in the early 1980's. Exercise centers expanded. Counseling turned to biofeedback and relaxation exercises for certain emotional problems. Psychologists purchased electric equipment to measure Galvanic Skin Response, Electro Myographic (muscle electricity) response, skin temperature, etc. Relaxation tapes were produced by the millions. Subliminal messages (outside the range of cognition) were created and used. All of these skills are helpful. Yet, there is a deeper peace that comes from God’s Word, God’s Spirit and God’s angels. Problem-solving and stress management skills help to foster PEACE in a number of ways. Yet, the psyche, the soul, nurtured by the promises of God, finds another form of PEACE through trusting in divine lifeskills. HERE IS HOW TO STOP BEING EXPLOSIVE. THE GRAPH SHOWS AN AVERAGE DROP OF ABOUT 50% IN EXPLOSIVENESS FOR PERSONS IN HIGHER-PEACEFULNESS (above the 70th percentile, at right end of horizontal bars). Explosiveness often occurs as retaliation. It occurs when a person feels put-down or treated unfairly. Explosiveness occurs when a person’s soul is too filled with excessive hurt or anger, and not enough patience or forgiveness. With God’s help a person can learn this to be more peaceful. “Don’t repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing (speaking well of). . . so that you may obtain a blessing (be spoken well of).” I Peter 3:9 NIV Because of so much secular pressure, we need the church, the preaching, the Word of God and the Holy Spirit to keep this belief alive. Peer pressure will whittle your faith down without a body of support, the church. You need worship and small group Christian LifeSkills Study to keep your PEACE levels high enough to gain the highest benefits. DISCUSS YOUR THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS? Most people experience some hurt, some obstacle, some pressure and some pain. The statistics of the research being described indicate that higher level PEACE is a buffer against the emotional load that the sinful world delivers. What are you going to do to increase the amount of PEACE in your soul? GODLINESS RAISES SELF-ESTEEM FASTER. PERSONS WITH HIGHER PEACEFULNESS SCORES, ON THE AVERAGE ALSO HAVE HIGHER SELF-ESTEEM SCORES. Increasing self-esteem can be traced to the indwelling Holy Spirit of God in Jesus Christ. It can be traced backwards through Fruit(s) of the Spirit, like PEACEFULNESS, to that which raises the levels of the Fruit(s) of the Spirit, namely the indelling spirit of Jesus Christ. Recall earlier, you were informed that persons who have higher scores in one of the Fruit(s) of the Spirit, generally have higher scores in all of the Fruit(s) of the Spirit. So if a person lets God work in his or her soul (spiritual core), there will be a general elevation of both the Fruit(s) and the consequential behaviors deriving from higher-level spirituality. Self-esteem is statistically related to higher levels of all the Fruit(s) of the Spirit. This scientific pursuit demonstrates that you are not wasting your time by pursuing the indwelling Spirit of Jesus Christ, which we sometimes call the Holy Spirit. If you are a skeptic of Christianity, some of these statistics should help change your mind. Self-esteem benefits await you. What are you waiting for? They are free. It’s the best deal in lifeskills! The place to start is with commitment to God and His Son Jesus Christ. DISCUSS YOUR FEELINGS, THOUGHTS AND SOLUTIONS? How can we get this good news out more effectively? How can we get this message to people who are only mildly interested? How can we get this information to people who seldom think a moral thought? PART 2 LET’S FIX THE PEACE EQUIPMENT IN THE SOUL! GOD, AND OUR BETTER COMMON SENSE, AND PERSONALITY SCIENTISTS AGREE THAT BEHAVIORS NEED TO BE FIXED . HOWEVER, BELIEFS COME BEFORE BEHAVIOR. REPAIRS NEED TO BE MADE REGARDING ONE’S BELIEFS. CHANGE NEEDS TO TAKE PLACE IN THE DEPTH OF THE SOUL (PSYCHE). How do we fix PEACE or rebuild PEACE in our lives? We will deal with these issues. 1. Making the soul rule over our biological nature 2. Becoming PEACEFUL models for others 3. Faith gives us some protection against the cruelties of this world. 4. Resolving real and imaginary guilt to gain peace 5. Daily resolve hostile feelings to achieve higher levels of peace. 6. If you need to grow more peace in your soul the Bible will teach you. 7. Practical guidelines for resolving interpersonal conflict. 1. MAKING THE SOUL RULE OVER OUR BIOLOGICAL NATURE. PEOPLE ARE CREATED IN THE IMAGE OF GOD. THEREFORE WE HAVE THE POTENTIAL OF BECOMING MORE LIKE GOD. THAT DELIVERS BENEFITS. The spark of divinity ( soul) in us enables us to transcend the backward pull of our more animal-like impulsiveness and self-centeredness. Our hereditary and genetic makeup may differ a lot. Yet there are 9 basic factors that we can all develop. They are the 9 Fruit(s) of the Spirit. They come out of being more spiritual. The figure above shows a “spirit” segment. This is where your values reside. When you value something your human spirit holds it here. The body, mind and soul (psyche) have access to the spirit. The spirit helps influence the decision-making processes. If you do not value peace, you will generally have a low-level amount of peace inside yourself or in your behavior. The statistics in the early part of this chapter tell us that there are very few benefits to an individual who has low-level peace. Therefore, the graphs and Bible verses are here to persuade you to remove as many obstacles as you can to find a higher level of PEACE. You will benefit from a faith that puts God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit deeply into your SPIRIT, your PSYCHE (soul), and your MIND. DISCUSS YOUR FEELINGS AND THOUGHTS? Genetic disorders, germs, viruses, accidents, natural disasters, unkind people, random acts of violence, and many other forces continually undermine our inner PEACE. How do people behave who have no faith in God when these forces attack them? 2. BECOMING A PEACE MODEL FOR OTHERS SOME PERSONS GROW UP WITHOUT ADEQUATE PEACE MODELS. THEY DO NOT KNOW HOW BADLY HATE AND CONFLICT AFFECTED THEM. In this research project people were asked about their childhood home life. They were asked if their parents were: 1. cold or warm, 2. arguing some, little, much, 3. violent or not, 4. abusive. Those who were treated worst averaged 27.9% more stressful experiences in 43 factors in the Holmes and Rahe Stress test. Those same persons, later in life, averaged 75.9% more illness incidents. Learn from the Bible’s optimum lifeskills directions. “Anger is cruel” (Proverbs 24:4 KJ). “Better is a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool caught in his folly” (Proverbs 17:12 KJ). “Rage killeth the foolish person” (Job 5:2 KJ). “Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath (rage)” (Ephesians 6:4 KJ). If you become committed to the church, its programs will keep reminding you of optimum lifeskills that deliver benefits. We need to take a new step in teaching values. I know counseling helps a few persons quite a lot, but most persons drop out too soon. Sometimes insurance payments stop too quickly. People expect quick fixes. They don’t seem to think they can be trained to get to the top. People do not seem to expect to study, learn, grow, mature, and zoom to higher levels of values, where the benefits are. Pursuing optimum lifeskills through certain churches is associated with some statistical benefits. DISCUSS YOUR FEELINGS AND THOUGHTS? The influence of the church is a lot stronger than most of us realize. Is this study/discussion approach cinching up your saddle so you ride with the church more faithfully? 3. FAITH GIVES US SOME PROTECTION AGAINST THE CRUELTIES OF THIS WORLD. DEPRESSION CAN OCCUR IN THE PSYCHE, THE SOUL. THAT AFFECTS THE CHEMICALS IN YOUR BODY. Doctors evaluate the severity of your depression with a dexamethasone suppression test (in the blood). Prescription medicines may be needed to counteract your depression illness. The statistics of the research being reported in this book showed that persons with higher levels of PEACE had lower amounts of depression. That is good news. We see research verifying the fact that faith has some benefits. God has something to say about depression that research supports. Look at the words of the Psalmist. “Oh my God, my soul is cast down (depressed) within me” (Psalm 42:5). The next verse is like a choir responding to the Psalmist. “Put your hope in God” (Psalm 42:5 KJ). “Yet I am standing here depressed and gloomy, (then comes the choir’s response) but I will meditate upon your kindness . . . All your waves and billows have gone over me, and floods of sorrow pour upon me like a thundering cataract. Yet, day by day the Lord pours out his steadfast love upon me. . . (The choir’s response.) Expect God to act” (Psalm 42:6-9 LB). Faith in God, and belief in Jesus His Son, has some preventive power as well as therapeutic power. Unfortunately, some tragic events are so overwhelming that a person may need the medical world’s medicine to speed up response time and prevent further complications. — “Forget not all his benefits” (Psalm 103:2). DISCUSS YOUR THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS? When crises, conflict and disaster turn against you, do you have enough spiritual PEACE to prevent being overly depressed? With God’s PEACE in your soul will you bounce back quicker if you do get depressed? 4. RESOLVING REAL AND IMAGINARY GUILT TO GAIN PEACE MISSING PICTURE! SORRY! THIS IS A PICTURE OF ONE OF THE MOST SILENT KILLERS OF PEACE. Guilt is very emotionally destructive and turns certain persons into blaming, denying, rationalization, projection, suppression, regression and many other despised behaviors. Some persons learn to deny (lie), blame, suppress, etc., from abusive parents and continue the habit throughout their lives. These people are sometimes unconscious of the extent of their behavior and no one wants to tell them. As a result such a person has ever increasing misery. No PEACE. My professional counsel was sought by a married woman. She perceived that the problem was in her marriage. She described her husbands behavior. She felt she was blamed for many things. She also described her husband’s activities and comments at home and at work. His behaviors sounded strangely neurotic with many of the neurotic defense mechanisms like denial, blaming, rationalizing, projecting, suppressing, repressing, etc. After a time it began to appear that this wife was personally accepting blame for things. He had projected blame on her. He denied his affect on her. He seemed to rationalize in many ways in order to escape guilt, which he projected on her. She saw him function the same way in the small business where he was Vice President. She said her husband’s company was approaching bankruptcy. So was her marriage. Unfortunately, both his and her lack of awareness about these neurotic behaviors was corrupting his job and his marriage. She took on some imaginary guilt symptoms. PEACE comes when these secrets of the soul are exposed by confession. If you think confession is silly, you may miss out on finding deeper PEACE. Confession to God may be just the first step. Dealing with a guilt-inducing person may be the second. “Whoever conceals his transgressions (sin) will not prosper. He who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy” (Proverbs 28:13). 5. DAILY RESOLVE HOSTILE FEELINGS TO ACHIEVE HIGHER PEACE THE FIGURE SHOWS A PERSON LOOKING TO A HIGHER AUTHORITY FOR PEACE. Worship encourages PEACE. The 19% who said they “never” worship averaged 11.3% more stress in the 43 categories identified by the Holmes and Rahe stress test. The same group of non-worshipers averaged 9% more stress in the 15 stress factors of the Christian Personality Profile. Regular worship encourages a person to maintain a higher level of values that contribute to a less stressful life. Remember the disciple of Jesus who wanted to see the healed nail prints in Jesus hands and the scar where the soldier’s spear pierced his side. His name was Thomas. He has been called Doubting Thomas ever since. He wanted more evidence for his mind, heart and soul. There are many Doubting Thomas persons who need some more evidence. Hopefully, the research evidence presented here may help you to make a strong affirmation and commitment. DISCUSS YOUR THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS? How much effort do you believe a person must put into keeping PEACE at a benefits-producing level? 6. IF YOU NEED TO GROW MORE PEACE IN YOUR SOUL THE BIBLE WILL TEACH YOU. THE BIBLE IS THE SOURCE OF GOD’S OPTIMUM LIFESKILLS. To get into a higher bracket of PEACE, one can get a great amount of help from God. “Thou (God) will keep him in perfect PEACE, whose mind is stayed (fixed) on thee (God)” (Isaiah 26:3 KJ). “He (Jesus) is our peace” (Ephesians 2:14 KJ). “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and PEACE in believing” (Romans 15:13 RSV). “Being angry, do not let the sun go down on your wrath, lest you give opportunity to the devil” (Ephesians 4:26). “Stop being mean, bad-tempered and angry” (Ephesians 4:31 LB). “Love your enemies” (Matthew 5:44). All the evidence points in the direction of the Bible being a mighty source of practical advice. In the Bible we can learn what it takes for a person to beat the sinful systems in this world. DISCUSS YOUR THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS? The name of Martin Luther King is nearly synonymous with PEACE. He was killed about 30 years ago. There was a lot of PEACE-talk during the Vietnam War. Now we have nearly 500 murders a week in the USA. What can the church do to generate more PEACE inside human souls? 7. PRACTICAL GUIDELINES FOR RESOLVING INTERPERSONAL CONFLICT. CLEAN UP YOUR INTERPERSONAL CONFLICTS QUICKLY. USE CONFESSION. USE APOLOGY. GET OTHERS TO APOLOGIZE. USE FORGIVENESS. Both God and the statistical research indicate that we need to keep an eagle eye looking for hidden negative feelings that destroy PEACE, the No. 3 Fruit of the Spirit. Jesus once told us about a 4-step problem-solving approach to a more peaceful existence. He said, “(1) If your brother sins (offends, trespasses) against you, go and tell him his offense, between you and him alone. If he listens, you have gained your brother. (2) But if he does not listen take one or two others along with you that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. (3) If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church (a leader, professional). (4) And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector” (Matthew 18:15-17). It is best to deal with a problem face to face, somewhat like Jesus indicated. However, we seldom see this, so we do not learn it very easily. Perhaps we need to learn it. In some cases it might be good to put our thoughts down on paper, clean it up so we are not offensive and then deliver or send it through the mail. Don’t use attacking language. Just recount the situation and say how you feel. No attacks. No name calling. No judgmental accusations. Tell the person how you felt hurt over the issue. You may need to do this to unblock progress toward higher levels of PEACE. DISCUSS YOUR THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS? What are some of the hazards and/or benefits in talking to people who offend you? ILLUSTRATION OF GAINING PEACE BY WRITING Mary was offended by a clerk in a jewelry store. It was not a big problem, but it bothered her. She read Matthew 18:15-17 and decided to write the store a letter. Here is the letter she wrote. Dear Jewelry Company Yesterday, while in your store an incident occurred which I feel needs to be taken care of. I brought my mother to your store to make a payment on a ring she has in lay-away. The girl who waited on her treated her very rudely and I do not understand why, as I could see there was no reason for it. Before the transaction was completed she spoke very harshly at my mother, slammed a drawer and walked away, leaving another sales person to finish her job. My mother and I were baffled and upset that we would be treated that way. I personally felt the need to speak to the manager about the situation and when I did his first comment was, ‘ I did not hear anything.’ At that point I became a bit tongue-tied (a problem I am trying to overcome) and couldn’t speak, which is why I am writing this letter. I do believe the manager should have handled this incident more diplomatically and should talk to his salesperson about what happened. Sincerely, (Actual letter) Dear Jewelry Company Yesterday, while in your store an incident occurred which I feel needs to be taken care of. I brought my mother to your store to make a payment on a ring she has in lay-away. The girl who waited on her treated her very rudely and I do not understand why, as I could see there was no reason for it. Before the transaction was completed she spoke very harshly at my mother, slammed a drawer and walked away, leaving another sales person to finish her job. My mother and I were baffled and upset that we would be treated that way. I personally felt the need to speak to the manager about the situation and when I did his first comment was, ‘ I did not hear anything.’ At that point I became a bit tongue-tied (a problem I am trying to overcome) and couldn’t speak, which is why I am writing this letter. I do believe the manager should have handled this incident more diplomatically and should talk to his salesperson about what happened. Sincerely, (Actual letter) Here is the reply she received. Dear Customer, I am very sorry if you feel that my young saleslady was rude to you the other day. I had a good talk with her and she claims she did not mean to offend you. All the drawers in that case sound as if you slam them when all you do is just shut them ordinarily, and she also had to turn you over to the office girl, as she does not do the office work. Again I wish to apologize if you were hurt in any way. To make amends, I will lower your repair charge to $10.00 when you come in. Sincerely, (Actual reply) MY PERSONAL COMMITMENT TO PEACE EXAMPLES 1. I dedicate myself to being more peaceful than hostile. I know that increasing benefits come to persons who are increasingly more peaceful. I pledge to curb my tongue when _________________. 2. I have lived with my somewhat combative nature. I need to listen more. I need to ask more questions than I give opinions, especially at ______________. 3. If the Alcoholics Anonymous Twelve-Step program requires me to make amends with people I may have offended, then it makes sense that I raise my level of PEACE by going to __________________ and confess I have not sought after PEACE. 4. I need to forgive _________________ for the offensive behaviors I experienced, otherwise I will lose some of the benefits of being a Christian. 5. I have a temper that gets me into trouble. I will recite and keep reciting the promises of God that PEACE brings benefits. I will tell my friends ______, ______, ______, ______, _____, and ask them to remind me of my pledge to control my temper. 6. I carry some hostile feelings against ______________ because of __________ and I will ask God to show me how to resolve the problem by going directly to that person and talking about my feelings. 7. Here is my private irritation or hurt that I still can’t talk about. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ THAT’S ALL FOLKS “PEACE” Benefits you!	This book may be purchased ------- Click on this pircure to go to Pay Pal and purchase this book.