Peace That Passes Understanding
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Floyd is doing well this week. They've actually been able to get him out of bed and into his chair for the first time in months. He had been too weak for this for so long. I know he would have loved the change. I’m so grateful for the hospital staff - they truly love Floyd, so I know he is getting lots of attention during this time when the hospital is functioning more slowly.
I have been having some rough days. I think it is the awful side effects of the treatment I'm on. I pray that this all passes on quickly and for my body to gain strength.
One of the things I'm noticing is that we all need a fresh touch, a fresh blessing of God's peace. In fact, as I've prayed, I've felt to speak "peace" over all our hearts. A wonderful, sweet "peace that passes understanding." Philippians 4:7 May He minister to each of our hearts with His precious peace.
The Lord has been reminding me of principles for walking in His peace. None of them are new. They're not hard. They're just practical steps for responding to difficult times and receiving His peace.
· I need to continually focus on Him, not on all the problems (of which there are many these days). I must take responsibility for what I'm focusing on! I heard someone say that "whatever we focus on determines what we become." As we focus on Him, we become more like Him - and we walk in His grace to cope with the hard season.
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." John 14:27
· I need to be careful not to worry about the future. It is sooo easy to do that in the midst of this pandemic. No one knows what the future is going to look like - and everyone that speculates on it is so pessimistic. It's easy to get "lost" in all this. God tells us to walk with Him one-day-at-a-time.
"Give us this day our daily bread." Matthew 6:11
"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34
· I need to fill and keep refilling my heart with gratitude. As I take time to be in His presence, as I quiet my heart in the midst of the storms raging around me - my heart will discover much to be thankful for. I can lift my gratitude as worship to Him - which releases waves of His sweet peace.
"The fruit of the Spirit is.......peace." Galatians 5:22
· I need to choose daily to spend time with Him. Spending time in His presence is spiritual warfare against worry. It's a weapon we have against fear, worry, anxiety, and despair. It's one of the best ways to receive His peace - by sitting at His feet and spending time with Him.
"Great peace have those who love my law." Psalm 119:165
· I need to speak out my trust in Him. I can release the burden of fear or anxiety on my heart by speaking out trust in who He is and how He promises to meet me. Trust doesn't just happen - I choose it, I respond with it in difficult moments. If I don't - the enemy tries to come rushing in with all of his deception. He is just looking for ways to exploit this global pandemic and cause people to lose their trust in God. We can't let him do this. We must fervently, continually speak out trust in God.
"Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid." Isaiah 12:2
· I need to receive the peace God is offering. It's a promise, a provision, and a gift to us. I don't have to earn it. He freely offers it. As I receive it, it helps me release my problems, my worries, my needs to Him.
"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace." Numbers 6:24-26
When I realized that I needed to go into isolation as a preventative measure (because of my age, my lowered immunity, and my current cancer treatment) - I didn't realize how the shocking change of that would impact me. I've been house bound a lot during our unexpected journey because of my treatment, but I've never been totally alone. It's very different. I think I have missed Floyd more keenly in recent days than I have during these last 4 years.
The first few days were hard. They were right before we went into national lockdown, so everyone was talking about what was happening. The news was filled with everything about the pandemic. As I had tried to buy some supplies, the shops had been packed and the shelves had been empty. It all felt very intense. I found my heart being anxious. I knew I couldn't survive the isolation if I was filled with anxiety.
As I spent time with the Lord during those initial days, He graciously reminded me of His ways. Last week I shared about dealing with fear......and I wanted to share today about the wonderful peace that God gives. I have needed to put all these principles into place afresh in order to make sure I didn't fall into any traps of the enemy during this time.
I keep up on the news, but I don't spend huge amounts of time focusing on it. I have found things that bring relaxation and rest. I talk to the Lord. I pray for others. I speak out gratitude for all His goodness to me. I find things to make me smile and laugh.
And through it all - I've been able to receive His peace. I pray for that for all of us! He is a God of peace. The one who calmed the stormy seas in the Gospel passages wants to minister His love, comfort, and peace to us in this tumultuous, stormy time. I speak peace to your hearts and mine today because of who He is.
In this most unusual season there are so many things that impact our lives and our overall well-being. Big things and small things. Important things and inconsequential things. This morning I was hurrying to do something, and I accidentally deleted something from my phone. I was frustrated and upset with myself. I tried for a couple hours to retrieve it without success.
In the big scheme of things, it wasn't something of great importance. It was just something that was special to me. I found myself so heavy hearted. I was upset with myself, upset with my phone, and just plain upset. I sat down to think about it and realized it was all out of perspective. It was disappointing - yes. But it wasn't that big a deal. I realized that I'm just more vulnerable because of all that is happening with me, with Floyd, with our family and friends, and with our whole world! It's easy for little things to feel bigger than they are.
A few days ago a friend asked for input as he worked on a mental health plan for medical workers. I shared a few suggestions of things that I have found helpful both on our unexpected journey - and in times past of stress and difficulty. I was reminded of them this morning again when I faced my frustration. It's so important that we keep ourselves healthy - both physically and emotionally.
· Realize that it's okay if you're feeling stressed and overwhelmed. It doesn't mean you're weak or that you're wrong. It IS a hard time. It's okay to acknowledge that. In fact, it's important to acknowledge it. If we try to pretend or cover it up, it will eat away at us.
· Find someone that you can share with/talk with. A burden shared is half a burden! I'm always amazed that when I'm facing something hard and I share it with a friend - it just feels lighter afterwards. And with all our amazing apps these days, it's easy to stay connected even when we can't be together.
· Tears are okay too. They are God's "release valve" for us. They help release pressure and stress. God gave them to us as a gift He knew we'd need. When we bottle up our tears and allow them to be unshed, it just creates more pressure for us.
· When you can, smile. A smile is a powerful releaser of endorphins for us. I look for things that make me smile and laugh. There are so many jokes and clever things going around right now about what we're facing. People are so creative. Some very sweet things, too, that just make me smile real big. I always feel better afterwards.
· Whenever you can, take a short break. Even just sitting in the fresh air and sunshine for a few minutes will help. In our lockdown here in South Africa we aren't allowed to leave our property except for buying groceries and medicine. Just taking a few minutes to be outside really helps. Or finding something to do that is relaxing and refreshing. I love jigsaw puzzles. I just finished my second one of lockdown. I take short breaks during the day to work on it.
· If possible, try to find a regular exercise. It improves our mental and emotional health. I see my neighbours jogging around their yard. I walk up and down our long deck. Stretching is good - gardening - whatever works for you.
· Get sleep when you can! The body needs it to keep functioning. Our lockdown/shelter in place season is a good time to take a few naps!
· And obviously, prayer is so important. Taking time to talk to the Lord about what we're facing is the best thing we can do. Because I'm alone, I just walk around talking to Him all the time! We've had some great conversations. :) He always listens. He never condemns. He always comforts me and lifts the burdens from my heart. It's so helpful to "cast our burdens" on Him.
I'm sure there are many more things, but these have been particularly helpful to me. And, yes as I learned this morning - keep things in perspective. Don't let little things become big things unnecessarily.
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles." 2 Corinthians 1:3,4
"Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31
"Cast your burden upon the Lord, and He will sustain you." Psalm 55:22
"My soul finds rest in God alone, my salvation comes from Him, He alone is my rock and my salvation." Psalm 62:1,2
God will help us stay healthy physically, emotionally, and spiritually during this season. As we do our part, He is faithful to help us!