20 Years 20 Lessons - Lesson 6 - You Can Have Peace

By -
Peace is a word that is so often taken for granted. You hear people say they would love to see peace and harmony in the world, in our schools in our homes yet they always attach a stipulation to it. It usually sounds something like this “If my husband would just listen to me then we could have peace in our home.” “If the terrorists would just stop killing people then we could have peace in our world.” “If my kids would behave then we could have peace and quiet.” “If they would just see it my way then I could finally have some peace.” If...if...if… Sound familiar?

This has been an extremely difficult lesson to learn and one the I need to be reminded of from time to time. (Okay...all the time!) The lesson - My peace is not dependent on anyone or anything apart from my relationship with God.

We can have peace in the midst of a financial battle.
We can have peace when the spouse, kids, co-workers act up.
We can have peace when the world around us is under attack.
We can have peace when it feels like everyone is against us.
We can have peace when our political party doesn’t win.
We CAN have peace.

The type of peace that I am talking about is internal. Peace in your heart and in your mind. In John 14:27 Jesus says this, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives…”.  Too often we find ourselves looking to others and even material things to give us peace in our life.

I wonder how many people play the lottery every week hoping to end of all of their financial woes and then take time dreaming and planning what they will do if they win. When a better use of their time would be to pray and seek God for peace and wisdom on how to handle their current financial situation. When the problems of our life start to make us feel uncomfortable or overwhelmed we look for distractions to take our mind off of our problems. When in reality we should focus our attention on God and what His Word has to say about our current situation. It is in His Word that we will find the peace that we so desperately need.

Sometimes our peace will come from gaining wisdom, increased faith, discernment and so much more. Sometimes God will just touch our minds with a calming and a peace that passes all understanding. (see Philippians 4:7) The bottom line is that we can have peace in all situations if we seek God for it. The things of this world are temporary and will not last. The things of God are the only things that will last forever. Money can’t buy peace. It is something that can only come from having a relationship with Jesus Christ.

I encourage you today if you are unsettled in your Spirit about anything then take some time and seek the Lord. Push passed the feelings that make you uncomfortable and overwhelmed and you will see God on the other side working on your behalf. Then and only then will you have real peace.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Dating Chronicles: What Do You Bring to the Table?

By -
Image
After being married for 20 years, getting divorced, entering in and out of the dating world for the last 4 years and meeting so many different people along this journey... I have to confess - My curiosity has gotten the better of me. I've heard this question over and over again and I just need to know! Is - "What do you bring to the table?"  currently a first date, second date or third date conversation? Like do you really interview your potential match with this question?  I was young when I got married and we both brought the same thing to the table. Nothing. Unless you count similar upbringings, equal morals and values. Financially we had nothing. No real estate, no stocks, no 401K... Nothing! However I am well aware that dating now versus 25 years ago is completely different. I am constantly being reminded by those around me of my ancient way of thinking. So - in order to further educate myself and bring my caveman thoughts up to the 21st century, I decided to bring ...
Read more

Coming Out of the Dark

By -
Image
Inhale... exhale.... inhale.... exhale - This is the current theme of my life. I'm taking it d ay by day and breath by breath. It's been long enough since my divorce, that I probably shouldn't reference it anymore... however there is not a set time on trauma recovery. I have healed (mostly), my ex and I are in a good place, my kids are doing amazing and I'm moving forward with my life. The most difficult thing that I face now - is myself. When I look in the mirror, I see the demons that I've allowed to speak to me for the last almost 4 years, and they are ugly. They say ugly things, try to get me to do ugly things - and - full transparency, some days they win. Throughout this long unexpected journey, I'd like to say, I did not lose my faith but I did take a path that went completely opposite of the one God had laid out so perfectly for me. As my story continues I am finding that the winding roads of what has felt like a never ending detour are leading me back t...
Read more

Lessons Learned: You Can't Change Anyone Except Yourself

By -
Image
Are you an eternal optimist? I am. So much so... I've been told that it's annoying... I can't help it though - I'm a hopeless romantic, glass always full, you can do it, don't give up kind of woman.  This blessed personality is a curse as much as it is a gift. The blessing is obvious. I see the good in people. I see the diamond in the rough. I see what can be instead of what is. I wear rose colored glasses and rarely take them off. God loves us and all things work together for our good according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28) This is my motto and how I do life. The curse. You can't change others and make them put on the rose colored glasses. You can't help those that don't want to help themselves. You can't make others see the good in themselves that you see in them and you certainly can't convince them that their behavior is destructive and harmful to themselves and others.  This has been one of the hardest things for me to learn. As someone that...
Read more