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
Thoughts~
With the recession came a huge income change for me. At
first, I wasn’t sure why my mural business was slowing down; I cut back on
things and basically tried to go with the flow. But before too long, I had an
empty calendar and was taking all kinds of part time jobs to survive. Going
from being booked three months out to having only a few clients each month was
a drastic life style change for me. I had to let go of a lot of material stuff
and moved downwards in housing, to a simpler lifestyle than I had had since I
was in my twenties. During this time, I continued praying and asking God for
direction and He kept placing peace in my heart. And so, I simply accepted the
recession as a sort of trial and over time decided to go back to college to become
a Hospice Social Worker.
This decision wasn’t a “aha moment” nor was it
instantaneous. It was more a gradual reckoning, where I felt a gentle calling
from the Lord to work with hurting people. At each step along the way, I would
either feel a calm peace when I was moving in the right direction or a sort of
nothingness when I was headed off His plan for me. I prayed constantly,
sometimes feeling puzzled that a recession would be used to bring me to a
career change. And yet the peace persisted
and stuck to me like a special covering that brought me hope. Of course, at
times I missed having a nicer income but realized that for this season in my
life, simple is better and that is where God wanted me.
When I reflect on Jesus words in John 14:27 and the amazing
encouragement from Him, I wonder what is it that makes any one hold back from trusting
in the Lord. He takes our problems, troubles and trials and fills our heart
with peace instead of fear, doubt and worry. Why would anyone ever prefer to
keep their troubles and live in fear? Why would anyone waste time fretting over
the details of life when the Holy Spirit is there to fill our hearts with peace,
no matter what the circumstance?
As we give our life over completely to God, with no
hold backs, we are given a peace that fills our heart with the knowledge that
our Father has our life in His hands and He will take care of us. However, when
we only give God part of our life, and keep parts that we spend time worrying over,
we really can’t live our Christian walk with the joy that only comes from a
life of trust. And that is the key: a life of trusting Him to watch over you
and fill your heart with peace at all times.
Action~
Is there an area that you can’t seep to stop worrying
over? One that you think God is too busy to notice and take care of? It’s time
to let go and give this situation over to Him completely. No hold backs. No
coming back to the problem . . . give it all to Him. And peace will flood your
heart.
Pray~
Thank You, Lord, for the peace that you give me, for taking
my problems and showing me the way out of difficulties. And, Lord, thank You
for taking away the fear that your enemy wants me to have. Your strength and
power over ride everything and your peace is such a precious gift.
Trusting in Him,
Becky
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