Victory In The Wilderness - Helen RobertsSample

Peace Exchange

If I could write the script for a movie of my life, I’m sure there would be more than a few deleted scenes that wouldn’t make the final cut. No doubt there are things you wished weren’t a part of your story – or things you are going through right now that you wished you didn’t have to.

The enemy loves to interrupt our hopes with fear, anxiety, and disappointment. But our Father God wants us to know His gift of overwhelming peace. Because of Jesus’ victory, we can be victorious (even in the wilderness times) and exchange our fear for His peace. This exchange is secured by trust as we say, like Jesus, “Not my will but yours be done.”

Approximately two thousand years ago Jesus faced death, wrestling with the thought of what was about to happen. He didn’t want to suffer a painful death and He wrestled in prayer, under extreme pressure, until He sweated blood. Yet He was willing, for all our sakes, to say to His heavenly Father, “Not my will, but yours be done.” Overwhelmed with peace, He journeyed onward, trusting His Father for the outcome.

I remind you of Paul’s words:

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

Giving up our will for His enables us to receive His peace at all times, which guards our greatest battlegrounds – our heart and mind.

Having a peace that exceeds our understanding means that even when there seems to be evidence to the contrary, we can still trust the Lord and enjoy His peace.

His peace will protect us, guard us, and enable us to continue, whatever the circumstances, knowing that whatever the outcome, God’s will is going to prevail.

Today, pause and consider how the enemy would like to keep you gripped in fear, yet the Father wants you to exchange this for His peace. Make the exchange, as Paul showed us how. As you tell the Father your worries and thank Him for what He has done, may you be filled with peace.