Walk Beside Me In the Storm

You cannot purchase peace. Peace was purchased for us long ago when Jesus laid down His life for us.

A few years ago I prayed for peace. It was one of my New Year’s Goals. I wanted more peace in my life. You see, I come from a very high strung, wound tight, easily stressed and excited group of women. I can go from peaceful to ready to take off like a rocket in about 15 seconds. This was normal in my home. My mom, grandmother, Aunt (who has the red hair we all hear about). Don’t make a redhead mad, yep, it’s true!

When I prayed for peace, I received anything but peace. It is like when people tell you to pray for patience and you receive a bunch of trials. Honestly, I don’t even remember how long ago I prayed for peace. I am guessing at least seven years ago, maybe longer. You may be wondering how it has gone.

I can tell you, “I am a work in progress". Something I have learned from my hubby is to give my concerns over to God. Some days go better than others. I participate in a kind of tug of war, where I give God my cares and then pull take them back. I have learned God will carry all our burdens if we allow Him to. But if we don’t, He will allow us to continue carrying our load of problems, worries and concerns.

I believe I was taught to worry. It was what you did in my family, at least it is what the women did.

When we had been married a few years, I asked my husband if he had ever seen a family like mine? He emphatically said, "No NEVER!" I began to get a clue, maybe we were not normal. LOL

My dad and grandfather were pretty laid back. It was the women who worried and were high spirited. As Joyce Meyers says, “Worry is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do, but you don’t get anywhere”. Yet, it “feels” like you are doing something if you fret and worry. I have noticed if I don’t worry or fret, I start feeling like I don’t care about the person I am worrying about or I am not taking some situation seriously. Can any of you relate to this? Giving it over to God has felt irresponsible. Yet, God intended for us to enjoy our lives. WOW, now that is a concept. If I don't worry, I might just enjoy my life more!

Bill Johnson said it so well: “If you want to have peace that passes understanding, you have to give up your right to understand everything.” Trust is activated when we make ourselves vulnerable to who He says He is, beyond reason." Dec 2, 2016

Well, what I have learned on my journey of seeking peace, God wants us to cast ALL of our cares on Him. Not some or just the ones we are willing to give up, but all of them. We can pray and ask Him to manage our worries and cares and He absolutely will. God made the world, He is sovereign, and He is capable of handling our problems, which at times, seem monumental.

So why do we not have peace if we have a heavenly father who is asking us to give Him our cares?

His word says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28.

He further tells us, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1Peter 5:7.

Dave Meyers, Joyce Meyers husband, has always told her, “Joyce cast your cares”. Her husband is not a worrier, but she has been. I lean more toward Joyce than Dave, but I would like to be more like Dave.

I believe God gives us personalities, bents and families which all work together to mold us into who we are. Some people are just naturally easy going. My husband and two blessing children are like this, but my daughter is high strung and gets stressed and easily upset. She is a chip off the old family block.

What I know about dealing with my own issues of being easily rattled, “I need God a whole lot in this area.” When we are weak or struggling, He is strong.” All my life, when I had a problem or struggle, I went to the word of God to find answers, comfort, and encouragement. It was my go- to for help.

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." Psalm 119:105

As I write this post, I am waiting for my daughter to arrive for the holidays. She lives almost six hours away and I don’t get to see her as often as I would like. As a parent of grown children, one of my biggest struggles has been to love my children where they are and keep my comments, advice or any other random mutterings to myself. Parenting adult children is harder than I had imagined. It has lended me an opportunity to depend on God for my concerns with them. Prayer rather than saying something is more of my go-to these days.

I took a parenting class when my daughter was small and I remember a quote, “Children are God’s gift on loan”. Little did I know back then, just how difficult it would be to give them back to Him. Believe me when I say, peace is a journey. We will always have new opportunities to practice our faith and grow. If you are a parent you will be provided with a plethora of opportunities to trust God with them.

I am still purposing to learn to rest in our heavenly father’s loving arms and give Him all my burdens. When I was a little girl, I remember taking a broken doll to my dad to fix. My dad could fix anything! Now, I try to envision God doing the same for me. I take Him my broken plans, disappointments and sorrows. He is more than willing to mend them all, it just may not be on my time table. What about you? Do you have peace in your life? Is there a burden you are carrying which is weighing you down? What would have to happen for you to be in peace?

Scripture tells us, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid”. John 14:27.

God offers serenity of the heart by trusting him. The Holy spirit who lives inside believers can keep peace flowing like sap from a tree.

“Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” John 15:4.

We have an intimate union with Christ just as we trusted Jesus to save us, we need to trust him, too, for each day’s problems. Peace is not the absence of problems it is trusting God to handle them. We can have peace in the midst of our trials, because Jesus walks alongside us. The Holy Spirit provides everything we need to face problems, including courage, wisdom, guidance and comfort.

Jesus promised peace for those who trust Him, and He is faithful to His promises. We must simply take one day at a time and BELIEVE He will carry us through.

“Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? " Matthew 6:25-27.

“And now just as you trusted Christ to save you, trust him, too, for each day’s problems; live in vital union with him. 7 Let your roots grow down into him and draw up nourishment from him. See that you go on growing in the Lord and become strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. Let your lives overflow with joy and thanksgiving for all he has done.” Colossians 2:6-7.

I remind myself the Holy Spirt is always with me and I can lean on Him. Sometimes I forget and my emotions get the best of me. I am better than I use to be. Progress is good!

I am still purposing to be at Peace. What about you, what would you like in the way of letting go of something? How would you like a tranquil heart? God is able and there is nothing too big or small for him to handle in our lives. He wants to take our cares. He wants to give us peace in exchange for angst.

If you would like to receive the peace that is promised, pray this prayer with me.

Father,

I ask that you take my (___fill blank________) and burdens for this day. I freely give you all my concerns and problems. I trust you to work everything out for my good and the good of those I love. I commit my day to you. Father, I trust you to take care of my concerns and I ask you stay close to me to help me stay in peace. This is the day you have made, I will rejoice in it and be a blessing to others!

Amen

If you said, this prayer, know, thoughts may try to come in on you to go back to the burden or problem. Every time this happens, remember this scripture:

“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5.

When you let go, God will be working behind the scenes of your life. A big mistake is expecting Him to work on our timeframe and in the way we want. He has your best interest at heart. Allow Him to work it out the way He KNOWS what will be best! When nagging thoughts try to invade, turn your attention to Him. Keep your mind on the positive not the problem. Whatever you focus on will be magnified in your life.

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

If you have never accepted Christ as your Savior, I would encourage you to find out more about the one who sacrificed everything for you and for me. If you are a Christ Follower, I invite you to step into a deeper intimacy with Him.

I am praying peace over us this year and a tranquil heart in Christ! May all the World know of Him and his goodness!

Peace Be With You,

Melanie

"And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7

May the Peace which passes all understanding be with you this day!