June 3, 2020
Are you losing sleep at night? Are you worried all the time? Are you struggling to concentrate because you are concerned about the future? I know how that feels. I was in constant state of worry for eight years of my life when Laura would contemplate suicide and battled with her mental health. We lived most of the time, without peace.
As I struggled with worry, concern, anxiety, sleeplessness, and faithlessness, God reminded me of Philippians 4:7 which says, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (ESV) As I thought about what Paul was saying in this verse, I came to realize the only way I could have peace was to accept the peace God was offering me. When I did, I experienced a peace that led me to have hope. Hope for a better future, hope for a good night’s sleep, hope for healing for Laura and hope for the freedom to live normally again. However, I didn’t always accept God’ perfect peace. I would accept it for a while and then I would go back to trying to create my own semblance of peace.
As I yo-yoed back and forth between peacefulness and worry, God again led me to the Bible. In 1 Thessalonians 5:12 it says, “Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”(ESV) I came to realize that what I was going through was a process. The process of becoming more like Jesus. The process of trusting Him. Understanding this helped. Even though it felt like a rollercoaster ride, the reality is that in this life we have hills and valleys, and we can seek and accept God’s peace in both places.
As my faith grew, I began to receive more of God’s grace which led me to experience more of His peace. Peace came back to my life. I worried less, but I do confess I never completely stopped worrying. And when I would continue to struggle, God brought me back to His Word again. 2 Peter 1:2 says, “May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” (ESV) God’s solution to my problem with peace was found in a better relationship with Him. As I keep learning about God and Jesus in the Bible, I begin to experience more peace in my life. So, my advice to all of you longing for peace, is to pray and ask God to help you to learn more about Jesus and His Father God through daily studying the Bible.
If you do not know Jesus you need to get to know Jesus. He is the source of all peace.
