Mysty PfefferChristmas brings a mixed bag of emotions for many people. Sometimes the gift of peace and joy mingle with sorrow and grief.
If you’re confused and having trouble finding peace today, I pray you find rest in the promise of your obedience.
In it, you may find your shalom, an indescribable ability to be content in all circumstances.
” Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
John 16:32-33
” Peace, I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
(John 14:27)
Here is what I’ve witnessed in myself and others over the years:
- 1. Peace does not mean freedom from pain, sorrow, tension, anxiety, difficult relationships, or doubt. It is finding contentment with who you are in the midst of it all.
- 2. Fear is a tactic of the devil to steal peace and disarm you from your purpose.
- 3. Time does not heal all wounds, Jesus does.
- 4. People will reject you more if you faithfully follow Jesus, ask for the peace only He can give to do it anyway.
- 5. Emptiness in your soul will never be filled with food, intimacy, drugs, money, material things, or alcohol. It only disappears with full surrender to Jesus.
I’d love to hear what you are learning about peace this season; will you share your wisdom in the comments below?
The Gift of Peace is Jesus
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6
The names of Jesus in Isaiah chapter nine reassure me God is in control. The eventual plan of His mercy and grace is for those who accept Him to be restored to right relationship with Him.
It’s a gift of peace deep in our souls only the Prince of Peace can bring.
Sinful lives you and I live daily, and the curse of the garden, will have no power to separate us from God ever again. However, it is not the kind of peace the world gives. We still experience grief, sadness, loss, and conflict with others.
We have to live in the tension of our secure relationship with God and our longing for others to know Him. Living peacefully with others to our best ability looks a little different too. We can honor others, while still sharing truth in the following ways:
- How we respond to dishonorable behavior and harsh words
- How we act towards other people
- How we talk to people
- How we look at other people
Jesus responds to dishonorable behavior by asking questions and telling stories. He gets to the heart of the situation and brings light into the darkness. We can too!
New Testament accounts show our Wonderful Counselor treating the least of these with dignity and respect. Calling simple fisherman, tax collectors, and sinners to follow him establishes their place of honor for eternity (Rev. 21:14)
Our Mighty God, who became a baby and grew up a poor and humble servant, talks to people with compassion and respect. Following His example, we can put pride aside and see others as equals.
The Everlasting Father looked at people through the eyes of mercy and saw them as image bearers of Himself. So, we can joyfully do the same.
The Gift of Peace: Living in the Spirit
“Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” (Romans 12:17-18)
Although, I know as a Christian, I am not going to intentionally return evil for evil. I find myself talking about those who hurt me to my closest inner circle.
It may be to my husband who doesn’t know how to handle my ugly cry, or my mom and dad who’s been in my shoes. Do you find yourself doing that too?
“As far as it is possible live peaceable with all,” is a statement from God’s word to which my rebelling heart sometimes cries, Ok, how?
How do I let ignored texts and phone calls roll off and not take offense?
The truth is, when weeks go by and I can’t spend time with those I love most, I feel rejected and unloved. It may not even be true, but it’s clear where I fall in the list of priorities.
My heavenly Father whispers deep into my soul, “Yes, daughter, I feel your pain, because I remember you doing the very same thing to me.”
I remember it too.
How sobering to be in a tiny speck of my Father in heaven’s shoes.
Moreover, how freeing it is when my heart understands what the Holy Spirit is telling me!
He gently reminds me over and over, “whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” (Mathew 10:37b)
I am living in the flesh and not according to the spirit. I am reacting to unmet desires and placing my love for people above God.
“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.”
The gift of peace comes into my heart when I release my unmet desires before the Father and rightly adjust my own priorities. I set my mind on Jesus and my focus on why He came into this world in the first place.
He came to restore me and you to right relationship with God the Father. It’s a mistake to think He came to bring peace on earth, or within our own households (Mathew 10:34-39)
But as far as it is possible, you and I can live peaceably with all.
So, we pray.
We call upon the Giver of Life to silence any raging thoughts and make them obedient to Christ Jesus. Help us treasure every moment with loved ones without expecting them to fill an emptiness in us they will never be able to fill. Remind us to reach out in love in all circumstances.
Most of all, if there is any lingering resentment present, we pray it vanishes as the love of God fills us to overflowing as peace fills our hearts.
I pray this gift of peace settles your sweet soul today as much as it does mine. I am here for you if you need prayer or someone to walk alongside you in your pathway to wellness– physically and spiritually!
You can book an appointment to talk your own personal RN Health and Wellness Coach here:
Mysty,
Simplifying Health God’s Way
