“When anxiety was great within me, Your consolation brought joy to my soul.” Psalm 94:19
God’s Peace
I often have to choose not to fear—and pursue peace. I’ve come to the understanding that peace and joy are gifts from the Father’s heart that we must continually receive. Circumstances come our way that rob us of both. It can almost feel like being “mugged” of something precious. Our treasure, our sense of peace and security, our well of joy, is stolen from us by events that we walk through. We can easily be left feeling barren and empty.
In recent days I’ve had a number of things come my way that have impacted me in this way. The result has been that I’ve been left feeling “exposed,” and rather barren. Thankfully that hasn’t lasted long! I’ve known I needed to go immediately to the Lord and ask Him to restore my peace and my joy. He has faithfully, wonderfully done that each time. In my need, He has been more than sufficient.
But it has been important to recognize my need, and ask Him for a fresh release of His deep peace and His abundant joy. I can’t just assume that what has been robbed will be restored. I need to come before the Lord with open hands and open heart asking for Him to freely give those gifts to me again. He’s always waiting to fill my heart and mind afresh.
“You will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy” (John 16:22).
I think sometimes I try to “protect” my heart from being impacted in such a way that my peace and my joy are robbed. It’s been so encouraging to see that when that happens—it’s okay. God is lovingly waiting to restore what the enemy has robbed. He freely, graciously does that.
Lord, You are the Protector of our hearts. Restore what the enemy has taken from us. Thank You.
Heartfelt AMEN! So easy to let the enemy rob us of our strength and joy!