This Wheatful Wednesday devotional is for my fellow sister who, like me, battles anxiety. Take heart. Our God is a good Father. He promises us one of the greatest gifts we could ask for, His peace. His peace is always available to us but it’s not always our first resort. Can you imagine what life would look like if we lived our days running to His peace FIRST, before letting our anxiety take root or seeking it somewhere else? That’s the world waiting for us in eternity. Behind those pearly gates, we will live in eternity knowing peace first. For now, on this earth, we live a life of our flesh wrestling with our circumstances, distraction and fear. Now that we have this perspective outlined, let’s look at what scripture says about this greatest gift of peace.
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope. Romans 5:1-4
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 16:33
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
I read those verses and get really excited at the thought of eternity. When I sit down and process what our God has created for us, it’s overwhelming. After all, isn’t this the light we should live in day-in and day-out? Living in light of what we know to be true? The distractions and temptations of this world are constantly fighting for our attention. Let’s take a look at a few practical ways to step back and step into this promise of peace when faced with temptations of the world.
1. Ask yourself, what about my circumstance right now gives me fear?
2. Go to God. Release this fear to Him proclaiming his truth that He will never leave or forsake us. Deuteronomy 31:6
3. Recall God’s character. Meditate (even if just for 2 minutes in the carpool line) on WHO He is. He’s a God that guards our hearts and minds. He is our protector, defender and provider. He never leaves our side.
a. God of understanding. “Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure” Psalm 147:5
b. Never changing. Never leaving our side. “I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.” Malachi 3:6
c. He is self-sufficient. Our rock, our protector, our provider. “For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself.” John 5:26
4. Come back to your fear now realizing the presence of God at your right hand. As you feel His peace that He freely gives, thank Him.
On October 17th of Jesus Calling, Sarah Young tells us “Anxiety is a result of envisioning the future without Me.” Could choosing to trade our fear and anxiety for His peace really be as simple as remembering who He is? It truly is. There is grace for our flesh, for our fear, but our God is never leaving us. He is walking right alongside you today in whatever it is you’re facing. Know you’re not alone and no matter your outcome or next step, He is right by your side.
God, you promise us your peace when we choose to rest in your goodness. We pray we would choose to quickly trust you, surrender all to you and be thankful for your promises. Lord, fill us with your truths today. Walk with us in the uncertainty of tomorrow and give us your peace. Amen.
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