Peace - cessation of or freedom from any strife or dissension. freedom of the mind from annoyance, distraction, anxiety, an obsession, etc.; tranquillity; serenity.
It took awhile after Liam was born to truly find this again. It would appear like summer showers, quickly cooling me down enough to keep the heat off, but awhile before I saw it again. But the Lord was faithful in bringing its more permanent return to me. The knowing in my spirit that no matter what, God IS in control. Everything is His.....the suffering, the pain and the glory that comes from it all.
The song above is one of my favorites (Audrey Assad - Everything is Yours)....I first heard it at a women's retreat I attended the weekend before Liam's heart cath was scheduled to determine if he would need another surgery just 6 months after his 2nd surgery. It was a pivotal point for me in my walk with Christ. It had been so long since I had time away to focus on Him, that I hadn't realized just how far he had already brought me. With the future of our son's health hanging in the balance, I surrendered. Listening to this song, the Lord spoke His peace over me. Peace in knowing it's not about me, nothing here is MINE. Not the plans we make nor the life we build....It's all HIS. And because of that, He will take care of things. His will be done.
Since I tend to be a little "Type A" personality and like things organized, God spoke to me a process to seek His peace. I realized that when I am truly resting in God's peace in my circumstances, I have usually done the following things:
Remember - God has a perfect track record. Remembering specific prayers He has answered in the past, how He has been faithful allows me to find peace knowing I can trust Him with my problems and concerns.
"Then I thought, “To this I will appeal: the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand. I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.” Psalm 77:11-12
Release - Releasing my fears, anxiety and worries and casting my cares on God. I surrender to Him areas I am struggling with and give Him control.
"Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall." Psalm 55:22
Remain - Remaining firm in His presence and His word. Keeping my focus on God's promises by hiding them in my heart and meditating on them when I feel anxious.
"If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples." John 15:7-8
Rest - Rest in knowing that I serve a God who loves me and has PROMISED to take care of me. I can trust Him with my life in its entirety.
"Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:1-2
This is a hard journey to walk. But if we give God a chance, He will make it light with his peace. Peace be with you, my friends!!
What a great post Tara. I know I too tend to get wrapped up in the plans and details and somewhere in that, God just sort of fades into the background. I am private abut my religion, tending to keep my thoughts about this to myself. Your post just shows how faith can lead us through this journey. Thanks for this post and helping put things back into perspective.
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