Finding peace

Do you often find yourself feeling stressed, anxious, or afraid? You certainly aren’t alone if your reply is a “Yes”. Let’s face it, there is always something about which to feel stressed or afraid. And, often times, for good reason!

Do you know that God doesn’t want you or me to live in a constant state of stress, anxiety, or fear? You may be rolling your eyes and thinking, “On which planet do you live? Did God really say that? Oh Jann, don’t try and tell me that you don’t ever get frazzled, or freaked out!”  

I’m not suggesting that there is no evil or I haven’t been impacted. Exactly thirteen years ago to the day (2nd October) our beloved youngest daughter was hijacked at gunpoint, kidnapped, and multiple raped. That night, her life (and ours) was forever changed with many after shocks still felt to this day. More recently, we lost a son-in-law to Covid and his widow, our beautiful blue-eyed older daughter, has two young children to raise solo whilst battling multiple sclerosis. I’m sure you have your own struggles and challenges, too.

Do I get worried and afraid? Of course, I do! But I refuse to award worry and fear the permanent podium places in my heart. So, what do I do instead?  Even though I may be wide-eyed, dry-mouthed, and trembling, I remind myself that God said, “Be anxious for nothing, but with prayer and supplication and thanksgiving make your needs known to me”. You see, He wants us to be at rest with hearts that are fully persuaded of His love for us. Always. Always. He longs for us to be secure and established by his unconditional love and his grace towards us all the time, and especially at times of chaos and calamity.

Then, when we are at peace, it guards our minds and our hearts. It really really does! I definitely don’t always get it right, but choosing to rest in His peace is way WAY better than being, or staying, in pieces! I speak from personal experience. It’s His perfect peace and unconditional love that puts our fear riddled and shattered pieces securely back together again. This may take time, even a life-time, but He is faithful to His Word and it will never come back void. Never. Never.

That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good. (Romans 8:28 MSG)

God wants our hearts to be at peace, to be at rest. His Word tells us, “A sound mind makes for a robust body, but runaway emotions corrode the bones.” (Proverbs 14:30 MSG)

Peace comes when our hearts and minds are anchored on God’s love and not on fear. It’s only a revelation of His perfect love that can drive out all fear.

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us. (1 John4:18-19NKJV)

God isn't the cause of our fear and He doesn't want us to fear Him*. God wants us to receive His perfect love, acceptance, and super abounding grace. If you ever receive a teaching that contradicts this, just remind yourself that there is no fear in love. And, God is love. Perfect Love. ( 1John 4:8,16 NKJV) 

If an anxious or fearful thought is on autoplay in your mind and you can’t seem to stop it, stop trying! Rather replace that thought with a truth that is from God. Get to know His thoughts. Get to know His word.

Whenever I feel stressed or anxious about something, I draw aside and remind myself of God’s promises for the specific situation in which I find myself. I think of, speak aloud, and allow His words to permeate, then saturate, my spirit. God’s Word declares, “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You.” (Isaiah 26.3 NKJV)

The more I learn and believe right about His love and what His Word says about my situation and my life, the more my thoughts will line up with His thoughts about me.

Right thinking leads to right believing. Right believing leads to right living. It’s not the other way around.

…it is good that the heart be established by Grace... (Hebrews 13:9 NKJV)

Dear God,

It is my wholehearted desire for your perfect peace, hope, and love to reign in my heart. On a Sunday. A Monday. Any day. Every day. In Summer. In Winter. On centre stage. On back stage. In South Korea. In South Africa. On a hotel bed. On a hospital bed. In feast. In famine.

May Your wisdom direct my thoughts. May my heart be fully persuaded of Your love. May I be found walking in the glory of Your Righteousness and the unforced rhythms of Your Grace. Today. Tomorrow. Forever.

Thank you that I am freed by Love to love.

Amen

Do you struggle with feelings of fear and anxiety?

How do you deal with these feelings?

Have you found perfect peace?

*To ‘fear’ the Lord does not mean to tremble and expect the worst, but to perceive Him with reverence and awe.