While looking through my index cards of verses I have come across several there that are promises of peace.
“ Be full of joy always because you belong to the Lord. Again I say, be full of joy! 5 Let all people see how gentle you are. The Lord is coming again soon. 6 Do not worry. Learn to pray about everything. Give thanks to God as you ask Him for what you need. 7 The peace of God is much greater than the human mind can understand. This peace will keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4-7 NLV
How well I remember the first time I was truly blanketed with peace. Dave and I had just moved back to Arizona from living in New Mexico for two years. The kids were little, 2 and 4, and I had recently had a miscarriage.
We were back home and I was glad to be here. Getting reacquainted with old friends, Mom and Dad were close but my heart was heavy. We had received a cold and chilly rebuff to moving to this home.
One neighbor, who wanted to live in a Senior’s Only neighborhood, came to the door as we were unpacking boxes and told me that she was circulating a petition to have our lease nullified…really!
Oh Lord, my heart was overwhelmed and I felt no peace. I was really in turmoil and for the next few days I kept busy unpacking boxes, helping the kids get settled in while Dave went off to work. Agriculture work in Az is in full force in the Spring and so he had some pretty long hours.
The anxiousness grew and peace was gone. One night after the kids were in bed, I went out into the backyard and sat on one of the kids swings. It was a clear night and when I looked up the sky was filled with stars. I began to cry.
Don’t you love it! Crying is such a good thing especially for us women. It allows us to release emotion that we really can’t do any other way. With tears running over my cheeks I said “Lord, I want to trust you but my heart is aching and I really don’t know why. I need to be a good mom and wife. I need to be strong and I feel like I’m falling apart.” Transparency with the Lord is best; He’s knows what in our hearts.
And then that verse I had known since I was little came rushing into my thoughts.
“My God will use his glorious riches to give you everything you need. He will do this through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 ERV
What I needed was peace! Looking up at the stars I was also looking up to God for his strength. I began to think of all those people I knew from the Bible. God had Abraham look at the stars and it was there he received a promise from God. David, as a young boy, tended sheep at night under these stars and God was there. Jesus would go out at night and pray under these stars and His Father would meet him there. As long as there had been stars God had been there and He was in control.
“You will keep the man in perfect peace whose mind is kept on You, because he trusts in You. 4 Trust in the Lord forever. For the Lord God is a Rock that lasts forever. ” Isaiah 26:3-4 NLV
It was like a blanket fell from the sky. A warm comforting blanket and I was wrapped snuggly within it. The tears were gone, the anxiousness was gone, joy was there. Not a laugh-out-loud kind of joy but a settled peace.
Circumstances hadn’t changed but my outlook had. I knew I could trust God and He would take care of my worries. It was His peace that wrapped around me and I felt His presence. Everything was going to be alright!
As I’m finishing up this morning, this verse just came to mind (another good one for you to write down).
“God cares for you, so turn all your worries over to him.” I Peter 5:7 CEV
Was that the last time I worried or was overtaken by anxious thought? Not hardly! But it is a mile stone – it is a place in my life that I mark with calm assurance that God revealed his loving character and met my need.
I hope you don’t mind me sharing these life experiences with you. I feel it’s important that you know that God’s word is trustworthy – He does keep his promises. If He will meet me like this, He will do the same for you!
Moses gave instruction to the people of Israel to remember what they had seen God do and to teach their children and grandchildren so they wouldn’t forget the Lord.
“You must be very careful not to forget the things you have seen God do for you. Keep reminding yourselves, and tell your children and grandchildren as well. 10 Do you remember the day you stood in the Lord’s presence at Mount Sinai? The Lord said, “Moses, bring the people of Israel here. I want to speak to them so they will obey me as long as they live, and so they will teach their children to obey me too.” Deuteronomy 4:9-10 CEV
When worry comes, and it will, let peace guard your heart! Keep your mind focused on God who always was, who is and who always will be!