The Missing Link Series: From Overwhelm to PeaceSample

The story is told of a man who had gotten his hand stuck in one of his expensive vases. After trying for some time to get his hand out but to no avail,  he calls one of his friends over to help him. The friend greases the rim, pulls the hand, then arm, then gently tugs on the vase, trying his best to free the man’s hand without causing damage to the vase. After some time the exhausted and discouraged friend finally says, “ I’m sorry, but the only thing left is to break the vase.” The man not agreeing with this idea says, “ My fork fell in the vase earlier. I reached in to grab it and my hand got stuck. Do you think if I let the fork go, that will help?”

Wow, funny how, though the man’s hand was stuck, all he had to do was let go of the fork and he would have experienced release. How many things could you be free from if you were willing to let go of...your pride, your anger, your way of thinking, your...(fill in the blanks)?

When it comes to feeling overwhelmed, the answer is: to find peace. However, though peace is present and ours for the claiming, we first have to make an exchange, and we do this by let something go first. There is something you have been holding on to that you need to let go of today!

The best way as believers to handle stress and overcome the pressures of life can probably come from  Philippians 4:6-7-” 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.” I realize you may be familiar with this scripture but look at it again through the eyes of being overwhelmed.

I like to say, “being anxious is an option,” but Philippians 4:6-7 says we do not have to choose it. We do not have to be anxious, but we can be prayerful, plead with God, and be grateful as we make requests to our Heavenly Father. Then the verse encourages us further in saying let’s make our requests known to God. Then the peace of God, which we do not understand will guard our hearts and minds!

When we make the exchange with our Heavenly Father, when we release our burdens, our weariness, our misunderstandings to Him, we in turn experience peace. T.D. Jakes once said, “ If you can let it go, you can have it all.” I think that includes peace. Don’t you?

In our next devotional, we will make the exchange and move closer to peace.