Originally published Thursday, 02 January 2014.
2 things you can’t fake are Joy and Peace
“Joy looks above and not ahead, Joy is a deep seated assurance that He is in control and admission we are not”, said by my dear friend Sarah. I personally hate when I lose my Joy because it takes my Peace right along with it. Thinking for a time that I AM IN CONTROL, which causes major stress, fear and worry, that “IT” whatever the “it” is depends on ME!!!!
I use to FEAR my suffering; truly, I was waiting for the other shoe to drop in just about every situation. I was trying to CONTROL with everything I had, for protection, because of fear, it is an ugly cycle. It still happens, it actually happened yesterday! I do seem to be quicker these days, to re-focus and remember who is in control, who I can depend on, who wants me to depend on Him.
Being very honest with you I am currently walking through two of my biggest fears in this very season of life, I have had my control, protection, fear cycle meltdowns a lot more lately than I care to admit. BUT I was reminded this morning that God really does know the END from the BEGINNING… and He is teaching me to let go, trust Him, moment by moment and when I grip to things a little too tightly He gently reminds me, He has got “THIS”! Well in my case, “He has got those”
Good Part: The Bible says 365 times in one form or fashion “Do NOT Fear”.. I really try to take this literally, the Bible is God’s Word, from God, the God who created the universe, He doesn’t say do not fear, except in that situation, He says, DO NOT FEAR. (period)
I believe Joy and Peace are true gifts from God, I believe Joy and Peace are Jesus Himself, in the form of God’s Holy Spirit that dwells within us…
Let’s discuss Peace!
I believe Jesus is Peace because of what the Bible records:
1. In the book of Isaiah it is said that “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. {Is 9:6}
2. In the book of John, Jesus says “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful”
{John 14:27}. When Jesus said, Peace I leave with you, He was referring to the Holy Spirit of God who dwells within us, who is God who is Jesus!
Therefore, invite Jesus not only into your life, but also into each and every situation! I invited Jesus into my life a while back, but just yesterday I was living, thinking and reacting to a situation like Jesus was nowhere to be found. Like He had no idea, like it was all up to me and I was a mess to say the least.
When I finally humbled myself and prayed, asked God to help me, HE DID. It was that simple, did the situation change, no! The circumstance I was so upset about, no, to be honest, it didn’t change one bit, but my heart did, I had turned back towards my Peace, back towards my Lord and Savior, my Jesus.
That verse in scripture that talks about the Peace that surpasses all understanding was always something I would pray for all those around me who were in a season of suffering, but now that I face my own valley, my own season of suffering, my own very fear, I feel and have felt “that” very peace that truly does NOT make sense. The circumstance doesn’t change, but something inside of me does!
If I think about it, it actually seems unreal to me. I know it is NOT of me, I know how I usually react to some of the very situations going on in my life right now and this peace, this is not me, it is something in me, it is what Jesus left for us, the Holy Spirit of God. I struggled at first wanting to sit in my fear, my sadness, my potential despair, I still do sometimes, like doing that was going to change the circumstance or something!
I lived without much peace or joy most of my life, I basically wondered why me in every trial and tribulation that came my way.. But no more. If it’s truly up to me to allow Jesus to be JOY and Peace in and through me, then I will, even if I slip up from time to time.
He promises He will walk with us; He will NOT leave us or forsake us! {Is. 43:2, Psalm 23:4, Hebrews 13:5}
Whether you believe in Jesus or not you will endure suffering on THIS earth, but with Jesus you will have PEACE.
Joy (Himself) Jesus helps us to endure the trail. BUT you have to receive the Joy, don’t try to muster it up, it’s Jesus just simply humble yourself and turn back towards Him, your Peace and your Joy!
Thoughts?
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