Luke 8:23 As they sailed across, Jesus settled down for a nap. But soon a fierce storm came down on the lake. The boat was filling with water, and they were in real danger.
“Did you knw that you can have peace even in the midst of difficult circumstances? Many people are trying to get rid of their problems, hoping they will then be happy and can then start enjoying their lives. But God wants us to learn to have peace in the midst of the storms. He wants us to have peace even when things aren’t going our way–when your boss isn’t treating you right, you didn’t get the promotion you wanted, your child isn’t doing what he should. If we make the mistake of basing our peace on our circumstances, we’ll never experience God’s best, because something will always upset us. You’re never going to get rid of life’s little aggravations. You will never get to a point where you don’t have challenges or opportunities to get discouraged. We have to change our approach to life. Jesus was asleep on a small boat when suddenly a huge storm arose. The winds were fierce and strong, batting the boat back and forth. The disciples got all upset and were afraid. They finally said, ” Jesus, please get up. We’re about to perish!” Jesus got up and simply spoke to the storm. He said, ” Peace , be still.” Instantly, the wind subsided, and the Sea of Galilee turned to a glassy calm. The reason Jesus was able to bring peace to that situation was because He had peace inside Himself. He was in the storm, but He didn’t let the storm get in Him.
Peace is not necessarily the absence of trouble, nor is it always the absence of enemies. You can have trouble and conflict all around you on the outside yet have real peace on the inside.
You may be upset or worried about some aspect of your life. Perhaps you are concerned about your finances, or there’s a situation at work that is unjust or unfair, and you are letting that situation rile you on the inside. Day after day it weighs on you, draining your joy, your energy, and your enthusiasm. You have let the storm get on the inside, and you need to make some changes. “As soon as I get through this, then I’m going to get back to being my normal self,” you may be saying. No, you know that when this challenge is over, there will be something else that can steal your peace. You’ve got to change your approach and stop allowing those things to upset you. Instead, turn that situation over to God.
Understand that until you get to this place of peace God can’t really work in your life the way He wants to, because God works where there is an attitude of faith and expectancy, not attitudes of unbelief, worry, despair, and discouragement. Every day you will have opportunities to lose your peace. Somebody may be rude to you on the phone. You want to jump right down his throat. Instead, say to yourself, No, I’m going to stay at peace. I’m not going to allow him to upset me.
Or perhaps your boss doesn’t give you the credit you deserve.You didn’t get the big promotion for which you were hoping. Say something to yourself such as, That’s okay. I know God is in control. I know God has something better in store for me. “Well, I’m upset because this man walked out of our relationship,” Suzanne says. “It was wrong. It was just so unfair. I want to call himp and let him have a piece of my mind.” “No, hold your peace, ” I advised.” If you’ll stay calm and at rest, God will bring somebody better into your life. He’ll take what the Enemy meant for evil and turn it all around and use it for your advantage.” “But you’ve got to do your part and hold your peace. Don’t live life upset, worried, and frustrated.”
Sometimes we lose our peace over things we can’t change. You can’t change the traffic in the morning. You might as well just stay calm. You can’t make your spouse or your boss or your neighbor do what’s right. Only God can. You might as well enjoy your life while God is in the process of changing things in the lives of people around you.
Today’s Prayer to Become a Better You
Thank You for always being in the boat with me, Father, even when I think you have fallen asleep. Help me keep my eyes and trust fixed on You rather than my circumstances when the storms come.
Today’s Thought to Become a Better You
My faith will allow me to remain calm in the midst of the storms.
“Daily Readings from Become a Better You” by Joel Osteen
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