Finding Your Peace

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, or Good Day!

 

I was reflecting today on peace.

 

I can so distinctly remember moving here in 2000 - coming from an abusive situation, and the ONE thing I wanted more than anything was PEACE.  I wanted to walk into my home, have no one yelling at me or degrading me or hovering over me or glaring at me.  

 

After years of THAT, let me tell you I have learned to appreciate PEACE.

 

This week while we were out on the open seas, inevitably I would wake up at 0400-0500.  My hubby would be sleeping away (I wish I could sleep past 6am!!), and I would slip out onto the balcony.  There, I stared in wonder at the stars.  The sky was SO clear, it was so dark!  I saw shooting stars every night.  The only sounds I heard were the swish of waves against the ship, and the wind fluttering the flags.  I would just breathe in the warm air, and relax.  It was such a peaceful time. 

 

In the midst of turmoil, it is especially important to find a place of peace.  

 

Just think about how you feel when your mind is not at peace.  You can't concentrate.  You don't have joy.  You are preoccupied.

 

This is not a panacea that will float you magically through life - and you won't have peace ALL the time.  But you need to have peace at least SOMETIMES!

 

One of my favorite verses regarding peace is this one:

 

Philippians 4:7New King James Version (NKJV)

⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

In the midst of all the crazy, you can have peace.  THAT certainly is beyond reason and our understanding.  AND it guards our hearts and minds.  Why?  I think one reason is we are not focusing on what is going on, what is happening.  We can be of sound mind because we are of still mind.  

 

My porch is another place of peace for me.  The geranium blooms bobbing their red heads, with their leaves wafting their peppery smell, keep me company as I sit in the wicker chair.  I look at the trees, I listen to the birds.  The bushes and foliage keep me hidden from those that go walking by.  My little memory garden is in front of me.  It calms me.  

 

Where is YOUR place of peace?  If you don't have one, you need to find one.  Some place you can go, not your bed, where you can reflect on your breathing, on God's beauty.  Where you can bring your Bible and devotional and read.  Where you can pray and talk to the Father.  Where Holy Spirit can bring that peace that passes all understanding.

 

I attached a picture of Grand Turk.  The ocean was as still as glass - it was amazing to think that we were on a massive ship, in a massive body of water, and there was nary a ripple.  God is mighty, indeed!

 

We are praying for you!

 

"I aquaint myself with Him (agree with God and show myself to be conformed to His will) and I am at peace; by that (I shall prosper and great) good shall come to me." Job 22:21 (Amplified)

 

"I will listen to what God the Lord will say; He promises peace to His people, His saints...Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other.  Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven." Psalms 85:8, 10-11 (NIV)

 

"When I am trying to please God, He makes even my worst enemies to be at peace with me." Proverbs 16:7 (TLB)

 

"You will guard me and keep me in perfect and constant peace as my mind (both its inclination and its character) is stayed on You, because I commit myself to You, lean on You, and hope confidently in You." Isaiah 26:3

 

"Now may the Lord of peace Himself give me peace at all times and in every way." 2 Thessalonians 3:16(NIV)

 

"Peace I leave with you; My (own) peace I now give and bequeath to you.  Not as the world gives do I give to you.  Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.  (Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.) John 14:27 (Amplified)