Peace

“May the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way.  The Lord be with all of you.” 2 Thessalonians 3:16

Over the last 8½ years I have faced things that were stressful, bewildering, painful, and sad. Things that were hard to understand. Things that stretched my ability to cope. Even now I continue to face challenging things. I know I can’t make it on my own. I am totally dependent on the Lord.

God has given us many good gifts. He is a loving, generous Father. I think one of the gifts I appreciate the most is His peace, a peace that is independent of circumstances. A peace that makes no sense except it comes as a gift to us in hard situations. I could not survive without His gift of peace.

Many times on the hardest, hardest, hardest of days I have been keenly aware that I’m carried through the day on a miraculous wave of peace that comes from the Father’s heart. He knows what I need and He washes over me with that sweet peace. It might be a “small” thing that I’m dealing with—or it might be a mighty life and death issue. Whatever it is, God’s peace enables me to make it through the day.

I faced something this week that was hard for my heart to bear. Once again, as I turned to the Lord, He covered me with His gentle, loving peace. He lifted the heaviness and replaced it with His peace. Yes, He gives many gifts, but the gift of peace is such a precious one. It’s one that we need over and over again—and God gives it freely and generously. I’m so grateful!

Nothing and no one can give the peace that the Lord gives. It doesn’t even make sense to the natural mind. We face hard, impossible situations, and God gives a peace that defies what we’re facing and enables us to keep going. His peace is a priceless gift!  I thank Him for it today.

God, You know just what we need—and we always need Your peace. In the hardest times, let us sense the peace You give, so we will not be consumed by our troubles. Amen.