Let Peace...

Greetings, Dear Friends!

Susie Larson here...

And to those visiting, I say welcome!

I post every Wednesday and my sole purpose is to nourish your soul along the way.

Before I get into my topic, I wanted to remind you of a couple of things. Each month I give away a $10.00 gift card to Caribou to someone who posts on this blog. I love to hear from you! There were some incredible comments on last week's post. God is moving in the hearts of His people!

In celebration of my new release, "The Uncommon Woman" I will award a $50.00 VISA gift card to someone who posts in August. Each week I'll post about what it means to be uncommon and I want to hear from you! The call to be uncommon is straight from the Word of God, and I want to hear from you!

Now, on to my topic...

I don't know about you, but I've battled some real anxiety and angst lately. In fact, I know I'm not alone because many, many women have shared they've been battling the same thing. Maybe it's because the world seems to be spinning out of control. Maybe it's because of the wars and the rumors of wars. Maybe it's because it seems impossible to reconcile the sufferings in the world with our shallow, busy schedules. Jesus tells us that in this world, we will have trouble, but then He adds, "...but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world."

My friend called me on the phone yesterday. She said, "Susie, I was praying for you last week and God gave me the sweetest picture of you. You were resting in a boat; in fact you were so at peace and so focused on Jesus, that you were content to let Him lead you to shore, wherever that next place might be."

My answer to her? "Wow, that's a great picture, but I'm not there. But, oh, how I'd love to be. In fact, that'll be my pursuit today. I'll press in for peace and rest until I find it."

We said our goodbyes and I sat back and looked out the window. I thought of my friend's picture. And then I came up with a picture of my own: I'm sitting in the boat, holding onto the edge with a claw-like grip. I'm watching the waves lap up and spill over into the boat. On each wave is a picture of someone I've hurt; or mistakes that I've made; or conversations I've had...all in the past; all things I've repented of and embraced mercy for.

But there before me were all of the reminders of why I'd never make it to the shore of my next promised land. I'm a putz. If left to myself, I'll mess up everything. 

I looked out the window a second time and breathed a heavy sigh. Somehow, once again, my focus had become more self-aware than God aware. Hmmm.

I picked up my Bible, and wonder upon wonders, my next reading passage was of Jesus sleeping in the boat. The waves licked the sides of the boat. The water spilled over and threatened to capsize the boat and everyone in it. And Jesus slept. 

In frantic fear the disciples yanked Jesus from His sleep and frantically pointed to the waves. Jesus sat up, questioned their faith, and then spoke to the waves. And suddenly all was calm.

When the storm rages against us, the call for me and for you is twofold: We must use the authority God has given us, and rebuke the waves. When the enemy stands against us and reminds us of all the reasons we'll never make it across the water, we need to stand in the authority given to us, and point to Jesus. 

We must resist the temptation to make a bigger deal out of the wave than we should. The Bible says, 'When the enemy comes in like a flood, the LORD will raise up a standard against him!"

Instead of being bullied by the fears and threats hurled at us from the enemy, we stand in faith, we point to Jesus, and we refuse to let a few waves deter us from going where God is leading us.

Secondly, we learn to rest. We trust the mighty power of God (and His love for us) enough to get comfortable, and to take a good nap. When our faith allows us to recline at The Table in the presence of our enemies, our lives become a force to reckon with.

Jesus is the Prince of Peace. He calls us to peace at all times, in all ways. He offers us a fresh outpouring every single day.

He pours it out, we need to drink it up. We need to let it in. We need to receive it.

Let's read this powerful verse:

And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are all called to live in peace. And always be thankful (Colossians 3:15)

Look closer...

To LET means to: give permission, grant the right to, allow, empower, enable, permit

Think about the potency of this verse. We have A LOT to do with the measure of peace we enjoy! God offers it, but we must receive it. But not just receive it; we're to grant the right for peace to RULE in our hearts. 

This verse strongly suggests that it's our calling. Our privilege. Our responsibility. 

And we're called to be thankful. Always. In everything (not for everything; but in everything). At all times.

Dear friends, there is a way to navigate through the storms of life with a heart at peace. The Bible also says that a heart at peace gives life to the body and health to the bones. Who doesn't need that?

May we stay in step with our Prince of Peace today. May we confess our sin, offer forgiveness, and refuse condemnation. May we learn to sleep through the storms and may we rebuke the waves when necessary. It's our privilege. Our call. Our right as ones who belong to the Most High God.

Until next week...

Comments

[Stephanie]

Once again, you hit so close to home for me. I deal with anxiety, worry and fear quite a bit and I realize that it is up to me to change this: How I think is a choice. Looking to Jesus in ALL circumstances is challenging at times since the enemy is so good at his lies and attacks. Focusing in on God's Word and looking to Him is the only way to receive the peace that God wants us to have. As always, thank you for sharing what is on your heart, Susie. It gives girls like me hope to keep on keepin' on!

[Aimee]

Susie - you always make it so real life, the way you share your own feelings. I can read your words and totally identify. The choice is ours to trust or worry, it's all about our heart attitude. Thanks for the encouraging reminder.

[Jennifer]

AMEN!! I have so been battling with the enemy and his lies lately. He has been very busy trying to strike fear in me so that I will not be obedient to go the way God wants me to right now. It has been a hard fight - one that I am sure is not over. We continually have to take our authority and rebuke satan and his schemes.I am being obedient. I am walking the road that God has called me to. I have found great peace in knowing that I am in His will and His hands no matter what the outcome.Thank you, Susie, for your words of encouragement. I always feel so blessed after I have visited you!Blessings- Jennifer

[Kathy]

I love how God gives us just what we need when we need it and uses it to build up others...

Thanks for sharing this. It's good to know that a woman of great faith still has to fight for it and we are all in the same BOAT :-)

Restin' in Him, Kathy

[Debra Rose]

Susie, what a great picture you provided for us. What immediately came to mind when I read your analogy of the boat was, who could possibly not relate? So many of us have a number of things that we try so hard to juggle. I pictured a canoe, lined with fluffy quilts and pillows. I saw myself resting in the canoe on all those quilts, the boat moving and rocking gently down a stream, myself resting peacefully, God's loving hand at the helm, guiding my fragile canoe down the stream, keeping me safe and dry. Thank you for blessing us once again!

[Margaret]

Susie,Wow!Once again amazed. It seems as if when we press on more to stay focused on God and not our circumstances the enemy attacks even harder. It becomes more and more clear that we have got to keep His word in our hearts daily to remain at peace. It is such a struggle. I have a note card in my Bible with one word "Peace" wrote on it. It has been there for several years. Thanks for sharing.Sweet Blessings,Margaret

[Rebecca]

Oh to live at peace. That's a huge test of faith, when we have no peace around us. It makes us dependent on our Savior. It helps us to see our situation with Christ's benefit not ours. My brother-in-law is going through an ugly divorce. He has three young boys that he's taking care of because his wife left them all. It's hard to have peace, but with the Holy Spirit they can have peace.

Blessings Susie!~Love Becca

[Susie Larson]

Dear Stephanie,Thanks for your post.We're all in this together, no? I realized something this week. When we are initially faced with the temptation to fear, it comes in seed form. If we choose to plant the thing, it grows, and with it comes anxiety! If we were more tenacious at the get go of refusing to entertain our fears, refusing to give it room in our 'garden', I think we would walk in a greater level of health and victory. Just a thought...

[Susie Larson]

Dear Aimee,Thanks for your encouraging words. And you are right, these kinds of battles hit close to home for all of us; that's why we need each other!Thanks for taking the time to read and comment. It means so much to me!Blessings~

[Susie Larson]

Dear Jennifer,Way to stand strong! We are in a day of battle and we can't run and hide from it; unless of course we run and hide in the Shadow of His Wing. Even so, there are battles that the Lord allows us to face, that we might be strengthened for His purposes. Your post encouraged me today.Blessings~

[Susie Larson]

Kathy,Thanks for your post.We are all in the same BOAT, indeed. May we keep our eyes on our destiny and not lose heart!Amen? Amen!

[Susie Larson]

Debra,Wow! Excellent picture! I LOVE it!Thanks for sharing. I want everyone to read your post because that's the goal for all of us. God is leading and guiding us. He has promised to take care of us. He has called us to rest, and He often wonders why we don't take Him up on His offer.Bless you for describing it so beautifully.

[Susie Larson]

Dear Margaret,Your post is a great reminder that PEACE is something we must maintain, hold on to, and pursue.Unless we're intentional about laying hold of this precious gift, we'll cling to our fears instead. And when we cling to our fears, the enemy can manipulate us all day long. Like King David once wrote, "If even a war breaks out against me, still I will remain confident!"We possess everything when we have Christ.

[Susie Larson]

Becca,I'm sorry to read about your brother in law's recent struggles. But you are right, that's when God's promises come to bear and are miraculous in our lives. The Bible says that the Lord will give us peace at all times, in all seasons, in every situation. God bless you and your family.

[Helen Martin]

Hi Susie,

I loved your post, as always. I missed you so much, I am going to savor this one in case you get blessedly "stuck" in an internet-free zone again.

I posted something on my blog about the devotional you suggested I read, along with the first insights that God gave me through it, so if that sounds interesting, pop over for a visit.

Love, Helen

[Susie Larson]

Helen,Thanks for sharing your blog with me. You are an insightful and compelling writer! I just knew you'd love Murray's book, "Waiting on God." And your picture of the butterfly? WAY better than mine. :)Bless you~

[Helen Martin]

I love that butterfly, too.

I love how it's transparent, but still seems so peaceful, and unafraid. (I'm not quite there yet.)

flickr.com is where I get my pictures; I find BEAUTIFUL shots there all the time for our church's women's ministries (monthly) newsletter.

The "Creative Commons" photos are plentiful, and MANY are devastatingly lovely. CC photos can be used (legally) for free (at least for non-profit purposes... maybe for others, but I'm not sure.)

[Susie Larson]

Ooh, that's so helpful.Thanks, Helen!