Peace

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 4:6-7

Peace--the peace of God. It is not the cessation of war. It is not life in the country. It is not quiet solitude. It is not ignoring all controversy.

Peace will be in good times and in bad times. It doesn't change depending on circumstances. And it does not, I repeat does NOT, occur without God. It is an unwavering state of mind. Like Jesus says, it comes not from our own strength, but from the assurance that Jesus has overcome the world. We need not be strong on our own, we need only to know that God and His Son are in control.

Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest from your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. -Matthew 11:28-30

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. -John 14:27

As those who are close with me might know (especially my poor husband!), I struggle a lot with a lack of peace. I worry, worry, worry about things I cannot control. When those times come, and they often do, I search myself to find a way I can figure things out. But the truth is, it shouldn't matter what is going on around me, because even when I can't handle it, Jesus CAN. 

Jesus can, and he will. He promises he will be there, if we let him. We will have true peace.