Good morning, Cottage Friends,
Lately I've been troubled by what I see happening in our country. We're dealing with things that I never imagined would surface here in America. The Cancel Culture, free speech being threatened, and so much more. It's all so alarming. And yet, in the midst of all this turmoil I experience peace "that passes all understanding".
In the letter Paul wrote to the church in Philippi, he penned these words:
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving 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 4:4-7 ESV)
Herein lies the means to my peace. It is through acknowledging the Lord first in my life, worshiping Him, looking to Him and not man for salvation, that I have internal peace. Washington DC cannot give me peace. The right home, the right job, the right education. None of those things can give me the peace that I receive from Christ Jesus. I know, because in the past I put my trust in those things, and they left me empty and anxious.
If you have a personal relationship with Jesus, as I do, then you have everything you need to experience "the peace that passes all understanding" in the midst of the chaos around you. I know many of you who read this blog understand what I'm writing about. You have that relationship, you have access to His peace. So, be encouraged today. Don't focus on the trouble around you, whatever that is right now. It may be health issues, or family problems, or maybe it's fear over the direction our country is taking. Whatever it is, I get it. I understand. More importantly, the Lord understands and He is for you. Meditate on His word, talk to Him -- which is really what prayer is -- and tell Him truthfully how you feel. Of course, He already knows, but He wants to hear from you nevertheless. When we turn to Him and ask for His peace to replace our anxiety, He delivers. And sometimes we have to be in a constant state of asking for that infilling peace because what we're going through is just that hard! I know because I've gone through some very hard times in my life that demanded constant connection to the only One who can calm my anxious heart.
Here's a song by Keith and Kristyn Getty: Benediction (The Peace of God) to encourage you further.
I love you. I'm thinking of you, and praying that you'll experience the "peace that passes all understanding."
Hugs,
