The Gift of Peace

Proverbs 23:7 tells us that "as we think, so are we."  Our thoughts have such a powerful impact on us......much more I think than we even realize.  We are constantly bombarded with bad news.  It comes at us from all directions.  If we're not careful, it can overwhelm us and dominate our thoughts and emotions.

It's important to understand what is happening in our neighborhood, in our nation, and in the world.  We need to be aware in order to know how to pray.  Otherwise we can simply pray into a vacuum.  We can't hide away from the reality of what is going on in our world.

But our prayers for the "needs" around us should be balanced with "gratitude" for the good things around us.  I don't always get it right, but I try to do a simple thing: for each "need/concern/worry" that I lift up in prayer, I try to balance it with "thankfulness" for something.  It's a little thing to do, but I find it protects my heart from being weighed down.

During the years that Floyd was in the hospital and I was battling cancer - there were also some big things happening in the lives of other family members and some big things happening in our ministry.  I was very concerned, and I could have easily spent my whole day in prayer!!  The Lord spoke to me about surrounding my prayers with thankfulness, like a glove.  On the darkest of days, when the heaviest things were happening - I tried to find this balance.  There is always something to be thankful for.  I found this simple "equation" to be a massive protection to my heart.  It protected me from being overwhelmed.  In fact, whenever I start feeling overwhelmed, I try to stop and start thanking the Lord for His goodness, His mercy, His protection, His provision, His wisdom, His companionship, His healing, His faithfulness.  Doing this very quickly brings me back to balance in my heart and mind.

"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits."  Psalm 103:2

"Praise the Lord.  Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever."  Psalm 106:1 

"Let them give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for mankind.  Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of His works with songs of joy."  Psalm 107:21,22

"Let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise - the fruit of lips that openly profess His name."  Hebrews 13:15,16

***Note the last 2 verses mention sacrifice.  We may not always feel like being thankful because situations burden our hearts and minds so heavily.  But the sacrifice of worship turns the situation around!!

There are dozens and dozens of verses that speak to how important it is for us to be thankful and worship the Lord.  The Lord knew we would need to be continually reminded of this important principle.

Recently a family member was in a dangerous situation.  I was very burdened and praying continually.  I felt the weight of the situation.  Then the Lord reminded me of balancing my prayers with praise.  As soon as I started doing that, I felt the heaviness lifting.  I was still concerned, still praying up a storm......but not carrying it by myself.  The Lord took the burden.

I love this "equation" that He's given me.  It's a gift and protection!

Over the last 8 1/2 years I have faced things that were stressful, bewildering, painful, and sad.  Things that were hard to understand.  Things that stretched my ability to cope.  Even now I continue to face challenging things.  I know I can't make it on my own.  I am totally dependent on the Lord.

God has given us many good gifts.  He is a loving, generous Father.  I think one of the gifts I appreciate the most is His peace, a peace that is independent of circumstances.  A peace that makes no sense except it comes as a gift to us in hard situations.  I could not survive without His gift of peace.

Many times on the hardest, hardest, hardest of days I have been keenly aware that I'm carried through the day on a miraculous wave of peace that comes from the Father's heart.  He knows what I need and He washes over me with that sweet peace.  It might be a "small" thing that I'm dealing with - or it might be a mighty life and death issue......whatever it is, God's peace enables me to make it through the day.

I faced something this week that was hard for my heart to bear.  Once again, as I turned to the Lord, He covered me with His gentle, loving peace.  He lifted the heaviness and replaced it with His peace.  Yes, He gives many gifts, but the gift of peace is such a precious one.  It's one that we need over and over again - and God gives it freely and generously.  I'm so grateful!

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."  John 14:27

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:6,7

"In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety."  Psalm 4:8

"May the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way.  The Lord be with all of you."  2 Thessalonians 3:16

"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness..."

Galatians 5:22

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

Nothing and no one can give the peace that the Lord gives.  It doesn't even make sense to the natural mind - we face hard, impossible situations......and God gives a peace that defies what we're facing and enables us to keep going.  His peace is a priceless gift!  I thank Him for it today.