One of the functions of peace is to prevent the hearts of God's people from being troubled. In Matthew 24:6, Jesus commanded His disciples, "See that ye be not troubled." And in Philippians 4:6, Paul exhorts us "to not allow anything to cause us to be full of care or worry." It may be difficult for me to keep my peace in times of trouble and tribulation, but the anointed Word acts like a military guard to keep my mind stayed on the Word and on the peace of God when trouble comes.

There's a good reason the Bible warns us not to be full of care. It's because care or worry brings on trouble. However, the Word of God brings peace.

We can see how this works in the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42:

Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, 'Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me.' And Jesus answered and said unto her, "Martha, Martha, thou are careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her."

Why did Jesus chide Martha for being careful and troubled about many things? The Bible says in Philippians 4:6, "Be careful for nothing," didn't it? But here Martha is full of care, anxiety, and trouble. So obviously when you're full of care, you're going to be troubled. You can't be full of care and be free of trouble. What is it that chokes the Word of God? It's care! The cares of this world entering in choke the Word of God, so it produces no fruit.

Jesus said, "Martha, you are care-full and troubled about many things." She is filled with care and troubled by those things she's full of care about. But look what Jesus says next: "But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her" (Luke 10:42).

The first thing that happens to believers when they lack peace and their hearts are troubled is that they begin to neglect the most needful part of their lives. Whenever your life is filled with care and trouble, you can be sure you have been neglecting the most needful part of your life.

The most needful part is not the serving part, it is the Word part. We must understand spiritual priorities.

Source: How to Trouble Your Trouble by Creflo A. Dollar, Jr.
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers