I came across these 4 steps in a wonderful book called “Stepping Heavenward,” by Mrs. E. Prentiss (They were written by Thomas a Kempis in "Imitation of Christ.").  At a glance there seems to be nothing here that would promote peace. In fact, the opposite looks to be true.  But if one ponders them and looks to Scripture as a guide, there is much beautiful truth found here.  As a Christian our goal is to imitate the life of Christ.  If we study His life we see that He was always in perfect peace.  By living for Him, not only will we be glorifying God, but His peace will be produced in us.
     Before this peace can become ours, there is a big obstacle to overcome, and that is self.  Self rebels at denial and must be removed from our “inner throne”  so that the Lord Jesus can rightfully be placed there.  The life of the Christian is to be “delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest (known) in our mortal flesh.”  All that we are is to be devoted to Him, which shows itself by obedience to Him.  When we realize God’s ways are best,  we begin to understand that God works in paradoxes, which are things that seem to be contradictions;  such as these 4 steps to peace.  Selfishness is one of the greatest causes of unhappiness because one is never satisfied.  Most of us have  experienced this: the more we think about self, the more unhappy we become, but the more we do for others, the more fulfilled we are - more at peace.  This is a paradox of God.
     The first step to peace tells us to “desire doing the will of another, instead of our own.”  This means sacrifice; stopping whatever we are doing to listen or serve another.   A humble attitude recognizes the importance of another.  “Look not every man on his own things (interests),  but every man also on the things of others” (Phil.2:4).  This is sacrificial love,  the kind of love that Jesus has for each of us: “For I came down from heaven,  not to do Mine own will,  but the will of Him that sent Me.”  Jesus accepted the will of the Father even though He knew that it would bring Him intense suffering.  But the outcome was a hundredfold in joy! As we learn to willingly  sacrifice self in little daily tasks for others,  we will experience the same.
     The second step says to “choose less, rather than more.”  This is really just common sense because if we choose less,  we will be easily satisfied.  We won’t be spending our energies striving for more, more, more,  which does not bring lasting contentment.  It is only in the fullness of Jesus that this can be done.  Paul says in Phil. 3:8  “ . . . I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord:  for whom I have suffered the loss of all things,  and do count them but dung,  that I may win Christ.”  Paul had prestige, pedigree, power and education; things which elevate most people.  These are all worldly things and came to mean nothing to Paul in comparison to the spiritual riches Christ has to offer.  “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God”(Phil. 2:5,6).  Jesus never ceased being God when He took on the form of man, but He did give-up His position for a time in order to fulfill the will of God the Father. He didn’t retain grasp on His rights, privileges and honors that He is so worthy of.  The God of the universe gave that up for a space of time for us!  He chose less, that we could have more. What love!
     The third step for peace says to “seek the lowest place and to be inferior to others.”  Jesus told His disciples, “If any man desires to be first,  the same shall be last of all,  and servant of all.”  This is not what most of us want to hear.  We like the place of honor and the benefits that go with it.  You may be thinking, "What about my rights?  I have the right to be treated with respect. I have the right to enjoy the good things in life." Really?  What rights did Christ cling to while on earth? Was He treated with respect? Did He enjoy this world's goods?  Who are we to think that we "deserve" more that our Lord and Master?  The apostle Paul was looked down on by  some because of his appearance and manner of speech. He was abused by many for the sake of the gospel.  But it mattered not.  He shared the gospel with God’s simplicity and compassionate love that saw only the lost souls of others.  He said this about Jesus in Phil. 2:7,8:  “But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”  Can we, as the Lord’s created beings,  do anything less than to obey Him and humble ourselves?
     The last step for peace is for “the will of God to be fulfilled in us.”  This is to be sought after and prayed for.  Part of the will of God for each believer is their sanctification.  He desires to make us holy as He is holy.  He will “make you perfect in every good work to do His will,  working in you that which is well pleasing in His sight.”  For this to be achieved, submission to the Father is required.  Belief in His promises mingled with trust produces a willingness to obey His commands thus fulfilling His will.
     The Lord Jesus effectively sums up these 4 steps to peace saying in Matt.20:28: “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered (served) unto,  but to minister (serve),  and to give  His life a ransom for many.”   May this be the desire of our hearts so that we can say wholeheartedly: “the peace of God which surpasses all understanding,  shall keep your heart and mind through Christ Jesus.”