peace illuminates.

Jesus encourages us in John 16:33 that although we will face trouble and affliction in this world, his peace is available to carry us through. The peace that He offers is a strong force that allows us to speak of the goodness of God while going through stressful, crushing times. It coexists with those pressing moments when we feel like we can’t take anymore.

Not too long ago, I couldn’t stop thinking about the plans I had for myself and how things were not going in the direction I had expected. Every morning, this was the first thing I thought about and every night the same. Now, deep in my heart I know the Lord’s plans are good and not evil, I know His thoughts are not my thoughts, and His ways are higher than mine...I know He knows me and has written all the days of my life before I existed…But yet, I dwelled on this gap – the space between what I wanted and what was before me. Every single day. Every single night. As if my preoccupation would change things.

The frustrating part is I had no desire to think about these things as much as I did. I then started getting upset because I realized what was happening. I had allowed my suffering to become my lord. I unintentionally began to worship what I wanted and didn’t have. Once I received this revelation, it was as if a light bulb came on and revealed what was hidden. I started to talk to God and tell Him how I no longer wanted to dwell on those things. I began to tell him how I truly wanted my first and last thoughts each day to point to Him.

From there, God took me on a journey in His word.

He reminded me that the peace of God surpasses our understanding (Philippians 4:6-7), will never be removed (Isaiah 54:10), and guards our minds (Isaiah 26:3). These scriptures carried me through a hard patch and delivered me from the vicious cycle of idolatry. I began to use a bible memorization app that I downloaded years ago to help me memorize these scriptures because I wanted to dwell on His words and not my own. I made a decision:

His peace over my problem.

After making that decision and memorizing and praying those scriptures, something happened. My first thought each morning shifted to the goodness of God. My last thought every night became Lord, I thank you. Although my situation still looked the same, the Lord changed me in it. This season taught me the truth of John 16:33, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” In the suffering, the peace of God is our anchor. I pray that as you read this, you allow the peace of God to reveal and illuminate any areas in your life that may be hidden.

Feel free to comment below, we want to hear from you!

Be Blessed, Find Rest, & Share Goodness! ✨