We are not robots.  God gives us the ability to choose.  If we have accepted the Lord Jesus as our Savior (see "salvation" section) we are new creatures in Him.  We do not need to live as the world lives any longer.  But will we let Him create new hearts in us?  Will we let Him have control... or will we hold on to our fears in an effort to control what we cannot control?

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And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Colossians 3:15-16 (NKJV)

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       In verse 15 and again in verse 16 is the little word "Let."  This is one of those little common words that our brain tends to skip over when we read.  But it is an important word.  "Let" means allow.  It is an action verb.  It's something we do.  We are to "allow" the peace of Christ to rule in our hearts.  It is there, ready to impart God's perfect peace (John 14:27; John 16:33), the peace that passes understanding (Philippians 4:7), the peace the world can't understand, the peace that Christ offers in the midst of the storm.  It is not forced on us.  We must allow it to control our hearts.

       Mark 4:37-41 tells how Jesus was asleep as a storm arose.  What a picture of peace.  The waves crashed, the winds howled, but Jesus slept peacefully.  Jesus knew His Father was in control, and had perfect peace.  The others in the boat did not yet share His peace (see Acts 12:1-6).  They looked at their circumstances and were terrified.  But they did exactly what they needed to do.  They went to Jesus.  They did not yet understand exactly Who He was, but they knew enough to go to Him in their trouble.  He got up and commanded the sea to "be still" not because He was concerned about the storm, but because His disciples were afraid and He cared for them.  He commanded, and the sea obeyed Him.

        If we want the peace of God in our hearts, we must let His peace rule our hearts.  We are sorely tempted to let our emotions rule our hearts.  We are overwhelmed, sad, angry, depressed or afraid.  These are honest emotions.  God made us emotional creatures.  But His peace should rule over our emotions, not the other way around.

       How do we experience God's peace?  Verse 2 says "set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth." We must put away sin, and put on the example of Christ (verses 3-17).  God rescued us from the bondage of sin.  He cannot then be Lord and Master of our hearts if we continue to serve our old master.  We must stop living as the old, dead man we were and put on the new, renewed man, living up to the image of God in which we were created.

       Colossians 3:15 says to "..let the peace of God rule in your hearts," and verse 16 says to "Let the Word of Christ dwell in us richly."  This is not reading a verse from a devotional once or twice a week.  This is not just going to church and hearing someone read and talk about God's Word.  Those are good things, but we need much more.  His Word is to "dwell" in us.  Non-living things do not "dwell."  Living things dwell.  The Word of God should be a living, breathing part of our being.  God's Word is more important than physical food (Matthew 4:4; John 4:31-36).  We should study it, think on it, pray over it, share it, discuss it, teach it, sing it and thank God for it.   

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In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He shall direct your paths.

                                                                       Proverbs 3:6 (NKJV)

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      Fear cannot rule our hearts if we are basking in His love imparted to us through His Word.  Sin cannot rule our hearts if our whole being is focused on serving the Lord Who delivered us from sin's hold.  God's peace will rule our hearts, if we will only let it.