The Lord is at hand;
do not be anxious about anything,
but in everything
by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known to God.
And the peace of God,
which surpasses all understanding,
will guard your hearts
and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:5-7
Good morning, Girlfriends!
How are you today?
"I am peaceful; thank you for asking."
I am interested to know how many of you would respond to that question this way? If I had to guess, I'd say, oh, about....ZERO. In today's world, peace does not seem to be the reigning state of mind or heart. Instead, we are more likely to be anxious, stressed out, busy, occupied, sad, concerned, depressed, or sick. Once in a while, that questions catches us on a good day--probably a Saturday--and we might respond with a more positive tone, proclaiming temporary happiness and contentment. Check back a day or two later, though, and most likely we will have reverted back to the former answers. Ladies, I admit, I have never heard anyone, including myself, admit to a peace-filled state of existence. Never. Not once.
Until today.
Surprise! The words came straight out of ME. Yes, Girlfriends, I am peaceful. Thank you for asking.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives
do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be
afraid. John 14:7 ESV
Not as the world gives...
Ladies, I have every earthly reason to be in a state of complete turmoil and emotional upheaval right now:
1. I am married. I am a mother. I am a daughter. 2. My husband started a new job five states away this week. I miss him. 3. We are moving. I am still here, trying to sell our house in an over-saturated, deflated market. We are going to lose thousands of dollars. 4. My teenage son does not want to move. I am the mom he loves, but I am the enemy moving him. Love/hate relationships. I feel his pain. 5. Another daughter left home to college last month. I miss my babies, aka my lovely daughters. I am trying to be a good, long-distance parent, nurturing tender wings as they encounter the harsh winds of real life. 6. My oldest daughter is in extreme physical pain from a life-altering, medical error. I hurt because she is hurting. I can't fix it. I am pleading with God to heal her. She wants answers, including Why? I can't answer. I try to lead her to the One who can. 7. This same daughter's husband started a new job this week. She is moving to the opposite coast from where I am moving. 8. I am going to miss my mom. And sister. And mom-in-law. And girlfriends. I wish I had been a better daughter. I want to take them with me.
"I am peaceful; thank you for asking."
Girlfriends, in the midst of life's pandemonium, this tumultuous turmoil, I have peace. Despite all these circumstances swirling around me, surpassing all understanding, the peace of Christ is guarding my heart and mind.
Peace did not find me, however. I had to go after it. Go after Him. Seek Him. Pursue Peace. God, in His grace and mercy, offered me His peace but the work was mine to do. Do not get me wrong. I did not earn it. Peace was freely given to me. But I had to choose to claim it. I could be anxious and worried, stressed and depressed, or I could follow His Word:
do not be anxious about anything,
but in everything
by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known to God. Phil 4:5-6
My peace comes from trusting God. I give Him thanks and praise, even in the difficult times. I believe He is who and what He says He is. As proof, which we humans seem to demand, I stand on His examples of past faithfulness. To me. To my family. To others I know. To His beloved people written about in His Word. I submit my life to Him: the good, the bad, the ugly, the in-between. I chose to offer every issue up in prayer and then trust in His will and His plan, which is far greater than I will ever understand.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts."
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Isaiah 55:8-9
Ladies, peace is yours. Take hold of God's will for you. I pray today that you will seek the peace that passes all understanding. Do not sit idly by, waiting for it to come upon you. Do the work. Make the choice. I pray you will choose Jesus. Give thanks. Give praise. Lift up your face. Lift up your life daily. Peace is lasting but your efforts cannot be fleeting: prayer today, gone tomorrow. Be consistent and persistent in your pursuit. And be patient. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. Psalm 27:14
So, I ask you Girlfriends, how are you today?
Peace be with you.
