The Gift of His Sweet Peace

For those of you who have followed us on this 3 year unexpected journey, you'll remember that shortly before Floyd got sick the Lord spoke to him the word "breakthrough" as his word for the year.  It was a clear impression to Floyd's heart, but he didn't understand it.  We talked, prayed, pondered, and sought the Lord together about it - but nothing seemed to be clear as to what that meant.

I've not forgotten that word!  I know that somehow it's tied into Floyd's journey.  Recently, in several different ways, I've been reminded of that word.  A few days ago I went to see the movie "Breakthrough."  It's based on a true story.  I remember hearing about the young man it's based on, but I didn't remember all the details.  I didn't know it was a movie - and didn't know it was showing here - but as soon as I heard about it, I knew I had to go see it.

I worshipped and cried my way through the movie.  What happened truly was an amazing breakthrough.  When I came home, I knew God was speaking to me afresh to keep hope alive for a breakthrough.  I honestly don't know what that means.  As I've said before, it could be healing or heaven.  That is in God's hands.  But I know I need to keep praying for the word that God put on Floyd's heart before he got sick to be fulfilled.  I can trust what God has planned!  I think our part, my part, is to keep praying.

Sarah Young says "the longer you wait for your prayers to be answered, the closer you are to a breakthrough."  We're in a good place as we've been praying and waiting for a long time!

Floyd has been very tender in all my recent visits with him.  He cries at things I share.  He often cries at worship songs I play for him.  He looks good.  He seems at peace.  But his heart is very tender.  Several visitors recently have remarked about the strong presence of the Lord in the room.  I pray for that - and for angels to surround him and keep him company.

One of the things I've been reflecting on in recent days is how grateful I am for the gift of His peace.  I have my plate full of challenges and stresses.  In fact my plate is overflowing!  But in the midst of it all there is a sweet peace.  It's truly a "peace that passes understanding."  It goes against the circumstances, so I know it's clearly from God's hand.  I thank Him daily for it.

Whenever I face my need for direction in determining the way forward, I look for that sweet peace.  I've learned that without His peace, I shouldn't move ahead.  It's always a check or confirmation of how I should go. If there's no peace, I wait.  

His gift of peace doesn't keep us from going through hard times.  But His peace goes with us in our hearts and minds in the midst of the hard times.  Without the deep inner peace that He gives, I don't know if I could have made it these last few years.  His peace has helped me through countless storms.  The one who calmed the stormy seas when He was in the boat with His disciples has calmed the stormy seas all around me over and over again.  Thank you Jesus!

"May the Lord of peace Himself give you His peace at all times and in every situation."  2 Thessalonians 3:16

"The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:7

"The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace."  Psalm 29:11

"There is such a great peace and well-being that comes to the lovers of your word."  Psalm 119:165 TPT

"You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you."  Isaiah 26:3

" 'Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,' says the Lord, who has compassion on you."  Isaiah 54:10

I am so grateful for His gift of peace!

On this unexpected journey we're on, I find God finds ways to touch every area of my life and my heart with special lessons.  I recently had an unusual one.  

I was expecting something to happen, and I thought it hadn't.  It wasn't a big thing.  It was actually very small - a speck of sand in comparison to the big, rocky, boulder type issues going on in my life!  But it touched a tender nerve.  I felt disappointed and somewhat rejected.  But it was such a tiny, tiny thing that I dismissed it.

The only problem was that it kept coming back to my mind.  So obviously the "nerve" it touched was bigger than I thought.  I gave it to the Lord, and confessed to Him that I realized He was wanting me to find my full acceptance, approval, and security in Him.  I actually prayed that prayer quite a few times during the course of the day until I felt like it was truly dealt with in my heart.

Then about 24 hours later, I found out that what I thought was going to happen......actually did happen, but I wasn't aware of it.  I thought it hadn't happened.  Are you following me?  I was dealing with the tender nerve for no reason at all!  Well you can imagine how God started speaking to me.

First of all, I sat down and laughed.  I kinda felt that God might be chuckling at me too.  I allowed something to "get" to my heart for no reason.  I had a good talk with the Lord about all this.  I realized there was a vulnerable spot in my heart that I needed to give to Him.  I needed to let His love for me fill every tiny crevice of my heart so that there was no room left for any feelings of rejection, insignificance, or aloneness to sneak in.

I was surprised at all this, because I went on a long spiritual journey when I was young in dealing with insecurity in my life.  But somehow, someway this small opening was uncovered.  I'm so grateful I could bring it to the Lord and get it dealt with.  I don't want to leave any openings in my heart for the enemy to try and use or exploit.

It also made me thank the Lord afresh for how much He has used this journey to speak to me and teach me things that I need to learn.  It was a very sweet, personal lesson to my heart!  I'm grateful that He didn't leave that tiny "speck of sand" un-dealt with in my life.  How good He is!

"For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus."  Philippians 1:6

"The Lord is for me; I will not fear.  What can man do to me?"  Psalm 118:6

"He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber."  Psalm 121:3

"O Lord, you have searched me and known me."  Psalm 139:1

"I find my rest in God alone.  He is the one who saves me.  He alone is my rock."  Psalm 62:1,2

I'm so grateful that God "knows" us, and that He's so faithful to teach us lessons in every area of our lives.