“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
Just as it does in our beloved Texas,
the “weather” in my heart can change in an instant. It seems that
within any given week, my perspective on life can swing from mountain
top to valley – sometimes within just a matter of minutes! Often
the stormy moments are kicked up by very real outside factors, but
many times the waves come crashing as a result of my own sinful heart
(or hormones!). Regardless of the cause of the storms of life, we all
know they come, are approaching, or are already here - sometimes as
brief gusts that leave as quickly as they came...and sometimes as F5
tornadoes that lay waste to virtually everything standing in our
lives. Life is rarely smooth sailing.
Knowing this, when we
begin to see the waves rising, when the winds start to stir up in our
hearts and we think, “surely, not another storm already!”...where
is our hope anchored (Heb. 6: 19)? When the tempests hit, may we be
found steadily clinging to our Rock, our hands securely resting in
the unbreaking grasp of our Savior. As the storm waves come, may we
let God's Word wash over us too, reminding us of His Truth that:
never will He leave us
nor forsake us (Deut. 31:6);
He will work all things together for our good (Rom. 8: 28);
His purpose will stand (Prov. 19:21);
He is our refuge and strength (Ps. 46:1);
He has overcome the world (Jn. 16: 33);
He disciplines those He loves (Heb. 12: 6);
He will make all things new (Rev. 21:5);
and even though we walk through deep places, we will not be overtaken (Is. 43: 2)...
(This list of promises could go on -
God's Word is chock full of 'em). He will work all things together for our good (Rom. 8: 28);
His purpose will stand (Prov. 19:21);
He is our refuge and strength (Ps. 46:1);
He has overcome the world (Jn. 16: 33);
He disciplines those He loves (Heb. 12: 6);
He will make all things new (Rev. 21:5);
and even though we walk through deep places, we will not be overtaken (Is. 43: 2)...
We must, moment by moment, anchor our souls in Christ; and as we do, He will flood our hearts with His promised peace that passes all understanding – that true soul rest that the world cannot give, although it searches desperately for it at empty wells.
Sweet Captain of
my life,
as You lead me through the inevitable heights and depths of life's adventure, strengthen my failing heart to not be troubled or afraid, but trusting in You and Your great, never-ending, unfailing love – the ultimate source of all lasting peace.
as You lead me through the inevitable heights and depths of life's adventure, strengthen my failing heart to not be troubled or afraid, but trusting in You and Your great, never-ending, unfailing love – the ultimate source of all lasting peace.
