His Unfailing Peace

Floyd is staying mostly okay, but he's had a few rough spots in recent days.  We continue to pray for strength, grace, and peace for him.  I shared some recent reports with him that brought tears of encouragement to his eyes.  I love being able to encourage him that his ministry has produced "fruit that remains."

The recent weeks have been quite intense.  Besides Floyd and me, there are a number of serious situations in our family.  It can feel a bit overwhelming at times.  I find I have to continually give these things to the Lord.  If I don't, it's too much to bear.

I was talking to the Lord about all this when I heard Him speak into my heart to be aware and careful about the trap of self-pity with all the things weighing on my heart.  Self-pity is from the enemy.  It comes from the pit where he lives.  If we fall into it with him, it's very hard to climb back out.  We must be aware, alert, and on guard to avoid this horrible trap.  He will whisper lots of lies to try and lead us astray.  He will especially accuse God to us.  We must expose his lies and stand against them.

I find my protection is in continually expressing my need to the Lord of His help - and continually worshipping Him.  By expressing my need to the Lord, it focuses my attention on Him.  As I look to Him the natural by-product is worship.  There is so much to thank Him and worship Him for.

I sometimes find it helpful to list my needs on paper.  Just getting them out of my mind and onto paper helps!!  And then one by one, I lift the needs to the Lord.  The Bible tells us that we shouldn't be surprised by trouble in our lives.  It "tests" us.  It brings out the things in our lives that need God's loving refining process.  It draws us closer to the Lord as we turn to Him.  It helps us grow so that we can handle future troubles.  It produces strength and stamina in our lives as we allow God to stretch us and teach us.  As we walk through the troubles and grow, great things come.  Great triumphs and victories are born out of great troubles!

And as I look to Him to meet me in my need - worship flows freely because I have fresh understanding and revelation of how great He is!  The wonderful, powerful King of the universe is watching over me - helping me - guiding me - meeting my needs - sustaining me - pouring out His love and care into my life - showing me what path I'm to take - what choices to make.  Oh how awesome and faithful He is!  How can we not continually worship Him?!

"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on to you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you."  1 Peter 4:12

"God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation."  James 1:12

"My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,"  declares the Lord.  "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."  Isaiah 55:8,9

"We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not put us to shame."  Romans 5:3-5

"Always be joyful.  Always keep on praying.  No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus."  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

"Being on a spiritual path does not prevent you from facing the darkness, but it teaches you how to use the darkness as a tool to grow."  - anonymous

May God help us use each trial, each hard thing, each suffering as an opportunity to draw closer to Him and to worship Him!

I would imagine that you are like me and millions of others around the world in trying to figure out how to respond to the coronavirus outbreak that is rapidly spreading.  Floyd and I are both in the "vulnerable" category because of our age and our lowered immune systems.  I'm doing all I can to be practically cautious and careful, but, most importantly, I'm praying.

Regardless of what happens - what comes our way - we are ultimately in God's hands.  He is sovereign over us.  He is watching out for us.  He is with us.  He holds us in the palm of His hands.

I observe people reacting is a variety of ways - from denial to panic and everything in between.  I've concluded that we need to do what practical things we can, and then rest in His care.  The word that keeps coming to my heart is "peace." 

I am so grateful for the peace that God gives - a peace that "passes understanding."  I couldn't have survived the last few years without His peace.  I can't even count how many uncertain, stressful, overwhelming moments I have faced where I couldn't have made it through if He hadn't washed over me with His precious peace.  There is absolutely nothing that compares to the deep peace that His Spirit brings. 

The peace of the Lord brings a calmness to our spirit.  It brings rest.  It brings understanding.  It instils fresh courage.  It brings comfort.  It helps us be content in the midst of whatever trial and stress we are walking through.  It lifts the heaviness of the moment.  His peace "carries" us.  It brings a deep sense of security.

I remember an experience in the early days of Floyd getting sick.  The doctors had given me such dire reports.  It had been a long, difficult, emotional day.  I was driving home alone in the rain.....and crying my eyes out.  I wasn't sure which was heavier - the rain or my tears.  I was trying to concentrate on the road as I drove over a mountain pass in the heavy rain.  I felt utterly heavy hearted and alone without Floyd by my side.

I can't quite explain it - but suddenly it was like a wave of peace hit me.  It almost felt physical because it was so real.  The tears stopped, and an intense joy filled my soul.  I spontaneously burst out into singing worship and praise to the Lord......I couldn't hold it back.  And as I drove over the mountain and out of the rain - there was a rainbow.  I actually started laughing because it was so dramatic and unexpected.

That experience was a turning point for me.  I've had more "hard" moments......many of them - but from that day onward I have felt carried by a solid foundation of His peace.  When I hit a rough spot, I immediately call out for His peace and it comes rushing in.  I think God wanted to show me clearly on that rainy mountain drive that He would help me and be with me whatever I had to face.  I'll never forget that day.

As I face the events unfolding around me now - and the ongoing trials and uncertainty of our personal situation.......I call out afresh for His wonderful, never failing, unending peace.  He is faithful to wash over me with His Spirit of peace.

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

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.......and be thankful."  Colossians 3:15

"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace...."  Galatians 5:22

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

" '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

"You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands."  Isaiah 55:12

I love the combination of joy and peace in that verse from Isaiah.  It's what I experienced on that rainy day 4 years ago.  He has never failed me.  He has always brought peace in the midst of turmoil to my soul.  How wonderfully, abundantly, incredibly faithful He is!