Steadiness of God's Peace

In Matthew 11:28, Jesus says, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Will you accept the Lord's invitation to rest in Him today?

I'm the first to admit that it's hard to rest and find peace in the Lord when we face hardship. I know it's hard to face the day when we experience sudden loss, heartbreak, sickness, or anything in between. Yet, even at my lowest points in life, I can't help but remember how God gave me glimmers of light during my toughest situations. Sometimes right in the middle of a negative thought, I'd receive a kind word from a stranger. As tears streamed down my face, there came a phone call from a friend. Consumed by feelings of dread, I'd encounter a life-changing sermon. Although I once overlooked these moments, I know God was sending me glimmers of light to help settle my thoughts, feelings, and emotions when I needed it. This lets me know that God was concerned about me enough to send someone to encourage me. Most of all, these moments taught me to have confidence in Him.

In life, we'll go through hardships, but Scripture tells us to ". . . count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing" (James 1:2-4). I know it's uncommon to find joy in troubling times. I also know it's not easy to rest in the Lord when things seem like they're falling apart. But, if we remember who God is, we would focus less on our trial and more on God's faithfulness. The Lord allows our faith to be tested to develop our character and to teach us the multi-layers of Him. We get to know Him as deliverer, healer, provider, and much more.

Then, we'll be able to find our greatest sense of steadiness in Him by reaching back to our past to recall how He demonstrated His love for us or healed us. If nothing else, we can all find peace in knowing that when Jesus died on the cross for us, He left us with the gift of peace, as described in John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. . . . Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

Reflection

• Take a moment to reflect on what God has done for you.

Declaration

In life, I will encounter many highs and lows, but I can overcome troubling times with confidence, hope, and trust in God. May I find and recognize my path toward steadfast peace with focus and intention.

If you enjoyed this plan, check out Dr. Jasmine's resources here, "Affirmations for Managing the Cares of Life"