And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
What is peace?
Is it simply not having wars? That may be what the Jews at the time of Jesus thought. They wanted a Prince of Peace to come and free them from the Roman Empire. And God can do that no doubt. But they were looking for a political figure, a warrior or a rebel that would come up from God and lead them to victory as a nation.
For me when I read about God being the Prince of Peace, I think more of another part of the definition of peace – cessation of or freedom from any strife or dissension. You know, the Peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7).
I’m kind of a mess mentally
That’s not very fun to write, but it’s even worse to live. I let the worries of this world get in my way. I let them stop me from enjoying the moment, from letting my boys grow comfortably without a helicopter mom, and my husband from having me second guess him. I live in worry.
I strive to know Him more
The peace of the Lord is one of the things that I long for most. I have glimpses of it, and it’s glorious. To be able to fully rely on God. Trusting that no matter what everything I do is in His hands and will work for His glory. Amazing.
So what does it take to have this Peace that surpasses all understanding?
Ok – truthfully this is coming from a girl that doesn’t always get it, but not because I couldn’t. God’s promises are always true. I could have that peace right now. It’s available to everyone who calls on the name of the Lord. I trust the Lord. I love Him, but then… then I take things back. I think I should be able to handle them. That God doesn’t want to be bothered. I lie to myself and say but this isn’t important enough for Him to focus on (disregarding the fact that He can do infinitely more than I can, all at the same time). His peace is available for us if we let go of the worries.
Do we stop working or striving to get better?
Whenever I’ve had a conversation like this before (usually with women who are pretty in control of their lives), the next question is – how do I do that and keep working and raising my family. How do I get rid of the worry and stress. Anyone who knows me will know that I’m not perfect at this – especially if you ask my boys. But I think the key is to keep our eyes on the prize. Keep our eyes on Christ and that all things on this earth are temporary. We’re going to heaven one day, and all of this will be in the past.
So put off your old ways – work hard, but leave the results up to God. Spend time with him, pray, read the Bible and soak in the peace. Stop and Breathe. Allow the Lord to work his peace that surpasses all understanding in your life today and heaven tomorrow (ok, not literally tomorrow – I don’t want you to die tomorrow).
How would having peace that surpasses all understanding change your life?
God is... 