Dwell – Day 13
I have lived in Florida most of my life, but I did, for a few years, move all the way up to Wisconsin. Yepp, from way down here, to way up there. This experience brought about a lot of pain, heartache and big lessons, but it was also one of the best and most beautiful times of my life.
One of my favorite things about living up there was finally getting to experience the real turn of seasons. Fall is by far my favorite, with the colors, the cooler air bringing in that good ol sweater weather and layered clothing, the festivities. I just love it. But winter. I had seen snow previous to moving to Wisconsin, but I had never LIVED in it. I had never been in a snowy environment this long. And let me tell you, I loved every moment of it! Sure, it had its difficulties and definitely some learning curves for me, but its beauty and magic was so not lost on me.
A lot of people thought me crazy to love it so much, to move from a “paradise” to this frozen tundra. But I loved it. The magic I felt when I stepped outside and got to take in the view and beauty of the snowscape around me, and the silence and serenity it brought with it. The PEACE that seemed to course through me as I took it all in. For so long, I held onto thinking “that feeling, that experience, is what peace feels like.” Now, sure, that was definitely a peaceful setting and it certainly wasn’t NOT-peaceful, but to think that I could be at peace only when I had THOSE feelings, THAT type of experience.
This thinking can begin to set you up for all sorts of disappointment and unnecessary stress and worry in your life. Because whatever your “peace” looks like, unless it is built on and in Jesus and His ultimate will and plan for your life, it is fleeting. The snow will melt, the seasons change, and if you were trusting in those things to bring your peace then you will continue to be left wanting time and time again. But there is a better way. A peace that can stick with us, no matter what season or experience we are in.
Philippians 4:6-7
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
This verse speaks on the importance of seeking God in EVERY circumstance and tells us that the peace of God WILL guard our hearts and minds. It also says it transcends all understanding, as in, we don’t always know why He asks certain things of us or allows certain things to happen to us; however His peace can be present in our lives when we have full trust that He is working in our best interests.
Romans 8:28
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”
If this is true (and since it’s in His word we can believe that it is) we can trust that even if we cannot understand it, He is making a way and fighting our battles on our behalf and it will all work out right in the end. He knows best. He knows ALL. And although it can be scary to begin to open up our lives and hearts, to start letting go of the control that we think we have, and to begin letting Him have control, the trade off is SO worth it. In Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus tells us “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” In this exchange we get to trade our burdens, our worries, our stress and our “what ifs”, for His rest, His assurance, and His peace. However, to attain this, we must also do our part.
1 Peter 3:11
They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.
Notice it says we must seek and pursue peace. It’s not something that just magically comes and settles on us, like the beautiful snow that I loved to be in, up north. It’s not dependent on our circumstances or the season that we’re in. It is rooted in the knowledge that God has a plan for each one of us and that if we seek after Him, and pursue the peace that can only come from Him, He will protect us and lead us into the best path. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6). We can trust that He will protect us when we go through hard times and difficulties and that He will guide us through uncertainties. He makes beauty from ashes. He turns mourning into dancing. He turns chaos into peace.
Although I’d love to say I have fully mastered the art of the whole “let go and let God” thing, I still have a lot of learning and growing to do. Just as working out on a regular basis strengthens our physical muscles, I know that our “faith muscle” will continue to get stronger the more we work it out too. As our faith in Him grows, so does the peace within us that He has it all handled. He is on our side. He has it under control. Just let go and let God give you the peace your heart so desperately wants and needs. I’d like to leave you with this beautiful promise from Jesus:
John 16:33
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble, But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Because of Jesus, I am able to have true, lasting, peace; regardless of my circumstances or season.
Guided Prayer:
God, thank you for being my true peace. I know you hold the whole world in your hands, and that I can trust you with my life. Help me as I seek and pursue the life you are calling me to. Fix my eyes on you, so that even when I walk through the valleys, storms, and uncertainties of life, I will be able to keep my peace and turn back to give you praise for whatever you are doing through those things! Help me to always trust you and your plan for me. In Jesus name, Amen.