We feel it all around us these days, don’t we? It’s like there’s a heaviness to the world and a magnitude to all we’re enduring. Despite the swirling political commentaries and happenings in the United States, the pain can hit at home too.
I spent time eating with a friend yesterday. I could see it written all over her face: the days were not what she expected, nor what she signed up for. Her life was different than she would have written.
And, while I kind of wanted to rewrite everything for her, I couldn’t. The weight sat on me. I remembered all the hard times I’d gone through: the days where I thought I couldn’t get out of bed, ever believe God again, face another phone call to a friend who would ask me how I was, endure another endless search for a new job, see the reality of the life I had ended up with.
I remembered the feeling of complete discontent with my lot in life – and the fact that I didn’t end up with a lot.
I remembered how, little by little, God pulled me out of that funk by helping me remember:
1. I could take Jesus’ peace and literally hold it as my own.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. (Jo. 14:27)
How? We say it like this in our mind: “Christ, I am accepting your peace. I am going to allow it, right now, to calm me physically, spiritually and emotionally.”
2. I am not in control of my happenings, but when I’m under his control, things feel much better.
The Lord says this to you: “Be not afraid or dismayed at this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” (2 Chron. 20:15)
God is the best warrior.
3. Jesus’ blood covers me every minute of every day.
“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.” (Eph 1:7).
There is no perfect life, but there is a perfect Savior who perfectly covers us with his love. We can rest there, no matter how bad our days look.
My prayer for you: Dear Lord God, the goings aren’t always easy, but your coming repairs us, renews us and transforms us in the thick of pain. Help us to rest in you and to be restored in your love. We praise you. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
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Yes, I feel the call to His peace myself. I pray others do too.