If there is one thing I know for sure, it is the fact that there are many, many people today who are missing one key ingredient in their life: peace. I recently finished a two month sermon series focused on anxiety, worry, and fear.
I cannot begin to tell you how many people asked me to pray for them because of one of those three emotions. Those who seem to have it the most “together,” who give off the air that “I’m cool and all is okay,” those who exude confidence, were some of whom came to me and asked me to pray for them.
You see… anxiety, worry, and fear show no favorites. Young. Old. Well-to-do. Struggling financially. White. Black. Hispanic. Male. Female. No respecter of persons.
There are some great examples in the Bible of people who found a calm and a peace in spite of circumstances.
Three Hebrew boys- Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego- were faced with a furnace made 7 times hotter because the king was so ticked off they would not bow down and worship the king’s idol. They refused and even the king stood in amazement as a 4th figure appeared in the furnace and they were removed unscathed.
Daniel spent the night in a lion’s den. Hungry lions, who the next morning had a great meal of Daniel’s antagonists, never bothered him. He got some good z-z-z-z-z-s that night.
Even Job, who lost everything, except his relationship with God, refused to curse God and die (per his wife’s suggestion). Job kept his eyes on God.
All three of these example are just snippets of people who trusted in spite of circumstances. They exuded a peace we are often missing in our “know everything” age. Sadly, the one thing many don’t know, is how to find peace.
I do. It is found in the One who said, “My peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. Don’t let your heart be troubled.”
The peace that Jesus offers us is what keeps me going, Bill. Yes, these times in which we live are full of anxiety and worry about the future. But when we realize that God is in control, we can rest in Him with trust and faith.
Blessings!
I’m with you Martha. In this crazy mixed up world, His peace makes a difference.
Remembering back prior to when I first gave my life to Christ during a time of great emotional turmoil, I can recall the sleepless “days” (I worked night shift) and the complete lack of peace. Replaying events through my mind and wrestling with my own emotions and struggles. Remembering when I finally gave my life to Christ and how the anxiety and stress were swept away and I was able to close my eyes without the pain and hurt being brought back to my mind… like a wall of protection encircled my head.
There have been times since where I have struggled as well, with the unknowns, the uncertainties.
What I try to tell myself when going down those holes is that nothing surprises God and that God WILL bring me through whatever valley I might find myself in… even if that valley is death.
You brought up a key thought Ryan. “When going down those holes nothing surprises God.” That is key right there! We are not alone in all we go through.
The type of peace that God can provide is an overwhelming calm, peaceful rest, that cannot be found by any other means. We all have things that happen in life that we do not have control over or wanted to have to go through. In those times, only God can provide the rest and peaceful calm that we need to get through those situations. Once you have experienced that type of peace, you will never want to face anything on your own merit again.
i agree Gail. You never want to go back and face anything on our own merit again. It is critical we lean on Him and understand His presence and peace is always there…even when we don’t feel it.
This post reminded me of the song, “The Only Real Peace.” It is so true. Jesus is the only Source of true peace. I am so thankful to know Him! God bless you, Pastor Bill!
If people would only realize this Cheryl. Their pursuit of other things would be gone.