"Sh! Give Me Some Peace"
I am leaving you with a gift- peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn't like the peace the world gives. So don't be troubled or afraid. John 14: 27 (NLT)
Devotional
Over and over again, I find myself praying for and talking about peace. We need peace in our nation, in our neighborhoods, and in our minds.
The need for peace makes me think about times when children swirl around a parent begging for what they want, with voices that get louder and faster in pace, as they plead each version of the request. Then, when the adult can’t take it any longer and needs the little voices to quiet, she might say, “Sh! Give me some peace and let me think.”
Peace can be hard to come by and challenging to keep, but it’s worth the effort. We don’t need an ordinary peace right now. Only God brings the peace we can’t explain (Philippians 4:7) even as the relentless issues continue. Right now we need the extraordinary, soul calming, emotion settling kind of peace that can’t be purchased.
The issue is in us. Why? Well, people do people-sized things, like exhibiting behaviors that don’t look anything like a Christian when trouble comes. We forget who we are and who we represent when we live out our personal tantrums, believe the news and opinions of the day, and neglect to live as though we pray.
But God does God-sized things. He gives us a peace that envelopes our minds and hearts, protecting our sanity as the world goes crazy. This kind of peace is refreshing and calls out the best in us. When we have God’s peace, we see more than is obvious, we learn to love in new ways, and we search for Godly solutions to the challenges we face.
God’s peace is a choice. We can choose to live in His peace and be charged to pray before we act and think before we speak. We’ll be easily connected to gratitude and joy and view our circumstances with optimism, as we encourage others to do the same.
When we feel like we want to shut the world out, we can (in a very important and informed way). The very moment we accept God’s peace, we gain the benefit of His secret place (Palm 91:1). It’s not as though we didn’t have it before, but we often forget that it’s ours for the taking.
Today, we can tell the world to “Sh!” as we live our lives in perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3).
Prayer
Thank you Lord for providing alternatives to what’s happening in the world. Your plan is that we have peace that is completely contrary to the realities of the day. Help us to make the choice to grab hold of what You have given.
Amen
Live well,
Michele
Thank you Lord for the peace I have in you even with all that is going on in the world today. You are totally in control. Peace in you relieves me of any anxiety during this time of pandemic among your people. I pray that your people will turn back to you and realize you are God…. the only true one. Holy and acceptable to ALL that call upon the name of Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
Hi Nadine- Thank you for the warm and powerful prayer. We have to stay connected to our Source.
Oh what peace we often forfeit; oh what needless pain we bear…
Thank you for the reminders and guiding scriptures.
Congrats on your soon to be released book. How timely are its messages.
April! What a wonderful set of verses! I love that hymn and love and appreciate you, too.
Such a beautiful reminder of the gift of peace we have been given. May I open His gift daily, amidst the swirl of events around me and experience the miraculous peace only God provides.
Your book cover is stunning. I can only imagine the contents that will bless the reader. Congratulations, Michele! Thank you for sharing your God-given talents for His glory.
Sherry! Thank you so much for sharing your desires and for your encouraging words.
Sis. Michele:
We can’t say “Sh” on His peace. It the best peace we can have.
Good reminder, thank you.
Thank you, Sister Deborah!
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