Inner Peace

Have you ever wandered outside late at night just after a fresh snowfall?  The stars shine brightly overhead in the onyx night sky, not a cloud in sight.  The snow around you glistens, reflecting the beautiful glow of the moon above.  It is silent, the kind of silence that feels vast and heavy.  It’s quite eerie in a way, yet strangely beautiful.  If I had to compare how I am feeling, this would be it.  God, however, gives it another meaning: Peace that transcends all understanding. 

 

I remember the end of last year, being here and adjusting to a whole new world.  Anxiety, you could say, was my best friend, or worst rather.  We were tight.  Every once in a while, though, I would get a glimpse of peacefulness, of inner tranquility.  I craved those moments but found them hard to grasp at times.  I still worried too much.  This year, I begged God to not let me feel like that again, to not be ridden with worry and constantly overthinking about the future.  I begged Him to send me His peace, a peace that would steady my heart and ease my mind.  And I can tell you, it truly passes all understanding.  By all accounts, logical human accounts that is, I should worry and plan and prepare and think about the future.  And I do, but it’s different.  Now I’m trying to see the future as something I’ll eventually get to.  The steps to take along the way, I will walk with trust in every footfall, trust that God knows what He’s doing.  And I don’t need to worry, for He doesn’t give us anything we can’t handle if we lean on His understanding and not our own. 

It isn’t easy.  In fact, sometimes I ruin it when I think about it too much.  Just when I start feeling calm and assured, I think to myself, “Well this is weird,” and then I start thinking how eerie it is to feel so peaceful and wondering how long it’ll last and what does it mean and…. You get the point.  I start to overanalyze this wonderful gift that has been given to me instead of accepting it and continuing on.  So my next challenge for myself is learning graciousness for the blessings I’m given.  As Sarah Young puts it January 19’s devotion in Jesus Calling:

“Seek my face, and you will find more than ever dreamed possible. Let Me displace worry at the center of your being. I am like a supersaturated cloud, showering Peace into the pool of your mind. My Nature is to bless. Your nature is to receive with thanksgiving. This is a true fit, designed before the foundation of the world. Glorify Me by receiving My blessings gratefully…” (p. 20).

I pray that each and every one of you receives the blessing of God’s peace in this coming year.  And I challenge you, just as I challenge myself, to accept this great gift with open arms and not a questioning and doubting mind. 

On a side note, I just heard that my sister Sarah was in an accident this morning.  Praise God she’s ok but keep her in your prayers and that all her aches and pains will be healed quickly.

 

Stay tuned!