There have been many times in my life that I was not at peace. Life threw it's punches and I had a black eye. Financial stresses, sick children, etc.it can bring you down. IF.YOU.LET IT. I was not experiencing peace and I guess I didn't even how how to have it. Sure, I was a christian, but, I was not a growing Christian. I was happy enough, just not really at peace (there IS a difference). I wanted more, more, more of the "things" this life offered. I was young okay!
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid" . John 14:17
I was taking what the world gives and not accepting what my Lord had already given me. I.WAS.MISSING.OUT. Wow, to have known then what I know now. I would have fewer stomach ulcers,for sure. I won't tell you that I am never afraid - that I never worry. I do.
I had a mammogram yesterday and when I walked out the door, I almost cried. I told my hubby that I felt like I was going for a death sentence. I know, how odd. It's just a screening mammogram. I have put it off for 'um, several years. I am afraid of what it might reveal! So, as you can see, I am still growing, still learning to trust, still struggling (at times) to accept the total peace that is mine through Christ.
However, I am so far from where I was. The peace I have in knowing that God is in charge is overwhelming - most of the time ( yesterday, I didn't do so good). My hubby and I pray together every night and as we cover our children and grandchildren in prayer, there is a peace that fills my soul.
"The mind of the sinful man is death,but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace". Roman 8:6
Well, ya gotta like that. As long as you are walking in the Spirit!!! If I am walking in the Spirit - I can have peace.
" Christ Jesus gives us His peace through the Holy Spirit. It is a quality of the fruit of the Spirit. The filling of the Holy Spirit releases the glorious power of His peace" (from the workbook).
I was not walking in the Spirit all those years ago. I now know the joy of walking in the Spirit and of accepting His peace in my soul. I like this much better. I choose this and hope that the people I love will learn these things much sooner than I did.
I have peace like a river in my soul, I have peace like a river in my soul, in my soul....
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M | Rach | Jeana | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Jenn | Amanda | MamaB | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
GiBee | Boomama | Maria | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Blair | Heather | Nancy | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Janna | Flipflop | Robin | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sherry | Patricia | Tara | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lauren | HolyMama! | Faith | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Christy | Eph2810 | Karin | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Leann | Rachel | Janice | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||