Five-minute read.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
John 14:27
Confidence in God brings calm. Worldly peace doesn’t last, bringing only false hope that quickly dissolves. Jesus faced many challenges, including the cross, but knowing His heavenly Father gave Him divine peace. And when the Savior ascended to heaven, He left that peace with us, giving us the Holy Spirit to comfort and guide us. Recognizing the Lord’s sovereignty helps us submit control to Him, knowing His plan benefits all. But, like the disciples, we need reassurance. When the hurricane winds begin to blow, we can quickly lose focus, taking our eyes off the Son.
When Peter walked on water, the disciple began to sink when he took his eyes off Jesus. Christ didn’t let him sink, grabbing Peter’s hand and helping him find balance. When we center our lives around the Prince of Peace, we can walk surefooted, knowing He holds onto us, never letting us go. The more trust we give the Lord, the more confidence we will have in Him, and we will enjoy His peace.
Sometimes, when anxiety begins to rear its ugly head, I squash it with one thought, “God’s in control, not me.” Reminding myself that God’s will comes to fruition, no matter what, helps me not to panic. “Pray, not Panic,” from my book Three Word Prayers for Every Day Living, focuses my eyes on the Savior and not myself and the situation, allowing me to find peace and not letting anxiety get a foothold. We can apply that simple prayer when we feel out of control. Asking the Lord into the situation brings His peace that surpasses all understanding.
Let’s do it with God’s peace as we end one year and begin another. Ask the Savior to help you leave behind anything that hinders you in the new year. Pray for His guidance and direction, holding onto the lessons from this year and becoming more mature in Christ. Let the Lord’s peace reign by keeping the Son in your eyes. Jesus doesn’t want us to live in fear of tomorrow but to have hopeful excitement and look joyfully ahead to the glory that awaits us. Today’s temporary problems fade in the light of eternity.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for Your divine peace, which rules our lives when we keep our eyes on Jesus. Please help us let go of unnecessary things and hold onto the lessons we’ve learned. Give us hope for the year ahead and the blessings You have in store for us. Let us live fully in Christ, now and always.
IJNIP. Amen
