Saturday, May 31, 2008

God's peace

There is nothing we need more of than God's peace, a peace which surpasses all our understanding. So that even when we don't understand, we can have God's peace.

I experience more and more of this peace as I go along in my life in Jesus, especially compared to the past, though I'm sure I have plenty of room to grow in this. It's a prevailing sense of God's rest and assurance. Of course a peace of mind and heart, in spite of the problems present.

But I also experience at times a lack of peace. Struggling to understand is one of the biggest hinderances I find to having peace. What we need to trust in is not our own understanding, but in the Lord and in his word.

The mind here is important. We need a steadfast mind which comes from trusting in God and results in perfect peace. It's a mind that acts in faith, and rests in faith. And it's helpful and important to think of this in terms of community. We don't live this out and experience this peace as solitary individuals, in our own private world. But as those together with others in Jesus, in relationships, seeking to live out the faith in Jesus in the world.

God's peace will prevail as we look to God in his grace to us in Jesus.

What would you like to add to this?

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!
romans11.33

i think that this is much of my trouble lately. i have been having a little rollercoster ride with the old anxiety and depression, just enough to make life uncomfortable and cancel most things that i do outside of the house. anyway, it helps me to have this kind of mind set, and your comments and this post has helped me to go to that place and not get caught up in worry and trying to figure things our for myself. concentrating on putting my trust in God and keep my eyes on Him. i am still learning and will continue to learn to do this witout having complete understanding of why things are the way they are and living a faith in God as the almighty one.

it seems that no matter what path i take in my questioning and searching that it always brings me back around to my faith and trust in God as the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit and actually living that faith and trust in giving and receiving the Love of God with God and with others.

one would think that i would stay there instead of wondering off again down another path...but thankfully God always brings me back around to the lesson of living in trust and Love of God now matter what.

i am working on giving God some thoughts and worries that i have been holding onto that have been keeping me from trust and rest in God. i am thinking about the difference between care and worry and what i need to give to God.

i am deciding, many times a day these days, to talk to God about all the things that come up that keeps me from Him and His peace.

laying down the burdens
laying them down before God

Anonymous said...

Isn't it amazing? The Creator of the universe communes with us, blesses us with His presence. He loves - us! I think that the proof of His reality is proven most clearly in people like Nancy and others who, even though they experience inner pain, still press on toward the prize; both here and in eternity. God bless, enjoy God.

Ted M. Gossard said...

Nancy,
Praise the Lord for his work in us. That's what we must reckon on, not in us, but it's all in him.

And we're all in this together.

Thanks for sharing with us your struggle and God's working in your heart and life.

Ted M. Gossard said...

Makarios,
Amen. We must press on, no matter what. And look to the Lord to guide us, always.

preacherman said...

I totally agree brother.
Great post as always.
:-)

Ted M. Gossard said...

Kinney,
Hope you're doing well. Blessings on your Sunday, and thanks.