Life at times can seem like a series of storms. Relational storms, financial storms, emotional storms, storms of loss and spiritual storms. The key I am finding to these seasons is not to wait till the storms pass but to seek His peace in the midst of the storms of life. Storms are an opportunity for me to lean into Jesus – He is the place of my peace, my firm foundation, my joy in the trials, my strength in my weakness, the Presence in my present life.
Peace – I want it but I look for it in the absence of storms instead of living in it, in every season of life. Peace is not the absence of a storm but is often what is actually found in the midst of it. Peace is the Presence of Jesus in my storm. Peace is KNOWING I am not alone, that the one who has power over the storm is in my boat with me and He has promised me that He will never leave me, never forsake me and told me to be of good cheer, He has overcome the storm – He has made a way through the storms and will lead me to victory over the storms I face.
Leaning into Him is the key – we find peace and safety under His shadow, in trusting that HE is our peace and has a plan and a promise for our life.
I am finding in this life that lasting peace is not found in my successes or money or in anything else this world has to offer – those are temporary and come and go at times. The real victory we have in the circumstances we face is when we are at peace, on the inside, no matter what’s going on around us – this peace IS the presence of Jesus on this journey of life.
I know that our current stories might be that storms are hitting at every turn and it feels overwhelming in every way and we might be wondering “Why Me”? But today He is ready to climb into our boat of life and join us on this crazy journey of life and He wants to be our peace in the midst of the storms of this life.
Peace is a gift – offered to us – He is offering us an exchange – His peace for our troubles. He can handle what we can’t – His hands are big enough for our troubles and our cares. WOW – I am overwhelmed at times by how I have not appreciated this gift He has offered me and how I often look to fix things so that peace comes but find more turmoil in the “fixing”. I am finding that this gift of peace is a treasure that I cannot do without – it is what gets me through the storms we face and gives me the hope to overcome them.
John 14:27 – Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
Philippians 4:6-9 – Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus……..one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
Praying today that His peace is the guard in my life and yours!