I was recently reflecting on all the wonderful ways the Lord has been with me the last 9+ years. It's a long list of His faithfulness and provision for everything I have faced. As I thought back to different situations and experiences, one thing kept coming over and over to my mind - the incredible blessing of His peace no matter what I was facing!
I can't even begin to count the times I stood at Floyd's bedside feeling sad and overwhelmed. I knew he was suffering, and there was little I could do to help relieve that suffering. I would call out to God to help Floyd and help me. And, time and time again, His gentle peace washed over me. I would leave feeling strengthened by that peace - and confident Floyd had felt it too.
I also remembered times when I was going through treatment for my cancer - so often weak and weary from the impact of that treatment on my body. One time in particular I was so frail that I didn't think I would survive. As I lay in bed I told the Lord I trusted Him, and asked for His grace to help me with whatever happened. I had a physical sensation of His peace washing over me, covering me, and strengthening me. It was like a warm wave flowing over my whole body.
There have been so many "impossible" things I've faced....but over and over I've felt engulfed in His peace as He showed me the way forward in each situation.
I am facing some challenging and stressful things at the moment. One morning I woke up after a good night of sleep - but I felt tense and stressed. I think my mind must have been processing things as I slept! I immediately turned to the Lord and asked for His peace to fill my mind, heart, and body. As I prayed, I felt that wave of peace covering me once again. I started singing this old song:
"When peace like a river, attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, thou has taught me to say
It is well, it is well, with me soul."
We are living in days when the world needs peace! A war in the Middle East, a war in Ukraine, and so much ugliness being spoken out. May God help us - and give us peace.
As I think about these times of being met by His peace, my heart is full of gratitude that we serve a prayer answering God. I don't know how I'd manage if I couldn't lift up my requests to Him. Being able to share my needs with the Lord lifts the burden of them from my heart. And it's wonderful to see Him meet those needs.
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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
"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
"You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you." Isaiah 26:3
"In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety." Psalm 4:8
"Mercy, peace, and love be yours in abundance." Jude 1:2
"Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6,7
"The Lord is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous." Proverbs 15:29
"But truly God has listened; He has attended to the voice of my prayer." Psalm 66:19
God is able to use the worst situations for His glory. I pray that for myself, for my friends, and for our world! Only He can do that.
If God had answered every other prayer I prayed, but hadn't given me peace - I don't think I could have made it in all these recent years. The gift/blessing of His peace is beyond my feeble words to describe! It is awesome in its power to help us. I'm so humbly grateful for His peace that has washed over me in each situation when I've called out to Him. How good and faithful He is!
