The PEACE of God

I've been having some trying times over the last year or so - scraping around trying to find that thing that any average person wishes for in their everyday life - PEACE. 

One would think as a Bible-believing Christian - I say that because there are those who identify themselves as Christians who don't believe the Bible to be true - I would be quite familiar with the one and only Almighty God who possesses the peace I so desperately need everyday.

Well, actually I am. However, there are times, like in recents months, when I have totally allowed others and different circumstances to invade my peaceful place. 

I've shed more tears than I care to mention, for fear that I may hear the distant chants of my childhood, "cry baby, cry baby." Anybody remember that? Anyway, enough of that.

I am extremely thankful to God for surrounding me with people who refuse to jump in the pity party ditch with me, but who remain on the outskirts of that, often deep place, with a life preserve of Scripture to save me from drowning in my sorrows.

One Wednesday, in a mere effort to appease my 5-year old daughter, I attended Bible study at @Cottonwoodchurch. She has missed her children's church so much. There was a guest minister @mikekeyes who spoke on Peace. Who knew, but God, that I needed that sermon. 

He shared several Scriptures on the peace of God, all of which, in my 44 years in the church, I had heard. But somehow it hit me in such a way I found myself in tears as I listened to God speak directly to me, never mind the other few hundred people who were there. 

I was reminded that I and I alone had been ALLOWING people and circumstances to rob me of my peace. No more. Enough is enough! I will trust God, despite the circumstances that surround me and rise up to taint my character, my worth and my dignity. I will trust God, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made, marvelous are his works and it's time my soul acknowledges that. 

If you have allow people and/or your circumstances to rob you of your joy and your peace - whether it's work, family or life in general - cast those cares at the feet of Jesus and trust him at his word. Study his word. Draw nigh to God, resist the devil and he will, he has to flee!

I don' t know about you, but I'm getting my joy and my peace back. The Joy of The Lord is my strength and the peace from God surpasses ALLLLL understanding.