Peace
Have you ever been in a situation where something just didn’t seem right?
You didn’t know whether you should go forward, stand still, or back up?
Chances are, you talked to someone about it. You asked a relative or a close friend for advice.
That’s what I did recently. I was struggling to make a major life decision and I asked my sister what she thought. Everything sounded good to her. I should go forward, she said.
I asked a friend for her opinion, and she added the same two cents.
Still, there was that something…
Only later did I realize the missing ingredient:
Peace.
What a powerful word.
You know what I mean if you’ve ever been without it. You didn’t sleep well at night. Perhaps, you tried to smile and pretend that everything was fine. But inside that still, small voice said something was wrong.
You also know the power of peace if you’ve ever had the wisdom to really walk in it. With peace comes calmness in the midst of chaos, sincere joy in a world full of sorrow. With God’s peace comes confidence because you know that no matter what happens, you are living His plan for you.
Peace.
That’s what I want. You want it, too?
The Bible tells us how to get it in Phil. 4:6-7:
Be anxious for nothing, 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 minds through Christ Jesus.
First, we must be sure that we’re not anxious or overly eager for anything. We can’t have rest and make wise decisions when we’re desperate for material goods or people or plans or anything other than God, Himself.
Then, the Scripture tells us to pray and to tell God our requests. Of course, He already knows them, but when we seek Him in prayer our desires begin to line up with His will. In prayer, we begin to see that we don’t really want everything that we think we want. Peace begins when our desires coincide with the will of God.
The Bible says that peace is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22). So when we nestle into God’s will, no matter what plans we thought seemed most logical, the Holy Spirit’s peace inside of us blossoms. It surpasses our understanding because it’s no longer about what we believe; it’s about God’s plan. It’s about His will.
Notice the Scripture says nothing about asking relatives and friends to find peace. Many times, talking to others is helpful. But they can’t grant us peace. They can’t make the final decision.
When I stopped looking for the right answer in other people’s opinions, that’s when I found the peace I sought.
And just think, it had been right there, living inside of me all along.
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About the Author
Sharon Tubbs has been a professional journalist for 11 years and is the founder of Christian Writers of Tampa Bay, a monthly educational and support group in Tampa, Fla. Her book Milk & Honey: 10 Principles to Embracing Your Promised Land was recently released and is available through her website at www.EmbraceYourLand.com. It can also be ordered at most major bookstores. Sharon Tubbs can be reached at EmbraceYourLand@verizon.net.
Copyright 2007 Sharon Tubbs. All rights reserved.
