Kingdom Within
We all go through various trials which might be better labeled spiritual warfare. Most of these wars are right within us, they take place in our mind and emotions, and we lose our peace, joy.
We lose these valuable things because we have allowed ourselves to be drawn outside the Kingdom of God, by these spiritual battles going on within us, and around us, in the world, in our homes and even in our churches. We then try to regain the peace and joy but we don’t look in the right place for it. If we want to regain our peace and joy we must reenter the Kingdom of God. Paul describes the kingdom of God in us as peace, joy, righteousness and the fullness of the Holy Spirit; it is internal not external.
John 17:21 “Nor will they say, “Look here it is’ or ‘There it is! For behold the kingdom of God is in your midst.” (Meaning within you.)
It must be quite obvious to all of us that we are not always in the kingdom of God, even though the kingdom of God is in us. Sometime along in our spiritual journey we should begin to recognize immediately when we have left the kingdom of God and quickly make an effort to enter back in.
We must learn to control our thought life, if we do not, confusion and worry will rob you of all peace and joy.
We must also control our emotions and not allow fear, hatred or bitterness to gain a stronghold there.
As soon as you realize any of these things are at work in you turn quickly to the Lord. Recognize that you have lost touch with the kingdom of God in you. You can know this has happened to you because the peace and joy are gone from your life.
Direct your attention to the innermost part of your being where the streams of living water are. Get out of your mind and emotions and center in on God’s presence in you and you will find the peace and joy are still there.
I think everyone of us have had special moments where we have been so blessed by Gods presence; go back to that memory that special place and you will be able to go right back in the kingdom of God that is in you once again
We are body, soul and spirit; if you allow the body to control you have a big problem. If you allow the soul to control you still have a big problem. The spiritual person looks to their spirit, which is the highest and deepest part of their being to direct their life.