Unrushed Living: Embracing Simplicity and Savoring Life's MomentsSample

Peace: When Peace Makes No Sense

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. PHILIPPIANS 4:6–7 ESV

There were times when she felt strong and courageous, but this was not that day. Right now she felt timid and small, unsure of how to move forward. Surely God had overestimated her abilities on this one. As soon as her thoughts began to spiral, she stopped herself. These weren’t His thoughts in her mind; they were anxious ones. She began to pray, thanking Him for leading her here and for knowing how to get her through. She thanked Him for preparing her for just this moment. And with perhaps more boldness than she felt, she risked a step forward. And the peace came. And she knew it was going to work out great.

Have you ever had more peace about something than it made sense to have? Maybe you were considering a big move, a job change, or trying for another kid. So much emotion filled you that it was hard to know how to make a wise decision. Did you pray? And if so, did the decision come with that crazy-good peace? A sense of calm to your soul and a spark of hope that made you look forward to things you couldn’t even imagine yet? Our faith strengthens in times just like these. We can’t expect to grow if we aren’t faced with obstacles to challenge us forward, with God beside us, supplying just enough grace to get us there. And when the miracle peace comes—a feeling that you have to experience to understand—we’re never the same after that. Once we taste His goodness (Psalm 34:8), we can’t untaste it. It makes the next risk, the next big decision, that much easier. The peace of Jesus changes us.

God,

in the midst of uncertainty, I know that I can rely on You. I know that no matter what, You are my anchor of peace. I pray that even in uncertainty, I will continue to have the courage to face whatever obstacle, knowing that with faith I am resilient.

In Jesus’s name, Amen.