Trust in God for Your Peace

No one said this life would be easy. In fact, we’ve been told just how difficult it will be by Jesus himself. He told us “In this life, you will have trouble” (John 16:33 NIV), and if your world is anything like mine, trouble comes with a capital “T”.

If I am honest, though, I must admit that sometimes I make my own problems. Mostly this is when I try to take the helm and steer my own ship through troubled waters, instead of turning to the One who can help. When I try to forge ahead and make a situation work to my advantage, invariably it ends in ruin. I would be much better off if I remembered to trust in God and take all my troubles to Him.

I’m getting much better at this, and I have found this trust to be the true pathway to peace. But there was a time, in the not so distant past, when I grasped for straws when I felt I was drowning. I felt tossed about on the waves, gulping for breaths before being submerged again.

Instead of trusting God, I took it upon myself to try to find my own way. I think I put my trust in myself instead of God, and figured that I could make it work all on my own.

Imagine my surprise when I came across this passage in James, “But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.”  (James 1:6 NIV)  You see, I would ask Him for help, but then I would take it upon myself to find solutions. I thought I knew what would be best for me. Actually, I just didn’t know God well enough to trust Him with my life.

Though I still continue to make many mistakes, I feel that I have made positive changes in how I deal with stressful situations in my life. Each time a worry or problem comes my way, I have a choice. I can worry and stress, or take it to God and know peace. It takes practice, but it really is as simple as that.

As I develop my relationship with God in my daily life, through prayer and sharing my heart with Him, I am beginning to understand that knowing Him intimately is the pathway to peace. I’ve learned that there is a better way than internalizing my anger and harboring resentment. I can give it all to God, and in return I get peace. I can trust that He will work for the good in all things.

I’ve included the complete verses below for the Bible references made in this article. But I think one that sums what I am trying to say is a familiar quote from Proverbs. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding." Proverbs 3:5 (NLT)

When we give God the helm to steer, He will guide us to calmer waters; and He will put our feet back on solid ground.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 (NIV)

“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.  But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.”  James 1:5-8 (NLT)

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NLT)

The Blessing of Friendship

Through structuring our time we hope to find balance amidst the chaos of our lives. The demands on our time just keep coming, and there are only so many usable hours in a day.

Sometimes we just need to “check out”, and that is what I did on Sunday. I spent the afternoon and evening with girlfriends, enjoying girl talk and taking a nature walk and seeing a movie that would be far too sappy for my rough and tough guys. Ah, yes, the blessings of a girlfriend day.

My family was a little bit surprised when I checked out of my familial responsibilities for one afternoon and evening. I received rather surprised looks from my boys when I finally came home. They hadn’t seen me since the morning at church, and I received some raised eyebrows and a few comments when I finally wandered home a couple of hours after dark. I could tell they were joking, and yet it is unusual for me not to be here and available for everyone.

 

The next day I was still smiling remembering the thoughts shared over lunch. There is joy in sharing the ideas on my heart, and I cherish how freely I can talk with my sweet friend. So many subjects were broached, and so many thoughts were shared. It occurred to me that none of the topics would have been something I would have enjoyed discussing with my husband, and that actually is a very good thing.

The balance we find by having friends in our lives who share our interests is a blessing that fills our spirit. We validate who we are when we are accepted and loved and are free to share the deepest thoughts on our hearts. It is different sharing with a girlfriend than with a spouse. No matter how understanding my husband is, he simply can’t relate to the way I see the world the way another woman can. And living in a completely male household, I need to have the companionship of someone who shares my perspective once in awhile.

Deep friendships are like spring rains. They wash away all the residual layers that life leaves on you, revealing a fresh openness. Releasing all the thoughts that I carry inside me is refreshing and satisfying, and lightens my load as I go forward. I love it when a friend opens her heart to me, and I get a glimpse into the part of herself that she holds so closely. It is an honor and a privilege to share in another person’s life story.

Friendship is a gift, joyously shared and greatly treasured. I wouldn’t want to do this life without my girlfriends. There was a time when I didn’t have close friends, and I felt very alone. If you are in this place, reach out to someone to begin a friendship. I remember telling my sons when they were younger, “To have friends, you need to be a friend.” It was an attempt to teach them to be accepting and non-judgmental and kind.

All of us walk our own life’s journey, but to share our insights and questions with someone who accepts us just as we are is a blessing and a joy. This is my wish for everyone, to know love and acceptance and the ability to share that part of yourself that is uniquely you.

"A friend loves at all times..." Proverbs 17:17

Trust is the Name of the Game

Right around the curve in the road we see all the possibilities. All of our tomorrows are opened up before us. We have only to choose the path we’re on, and trust that the One who leads us will take us where we need to go.

There was a time when I thought I could do this all by myself. I fumbled and fought and fell down and wondered why I was always struggling.  At that time I didn’t believe in a higher power to guide me. I thought I could do it on my own.

I still struggle, and I still fall down. Life is, and always will be, difficult. What has changed is the way I see the fight. I’m no longer in this alone. God is my constant companion. I turn to Him when I am weary, and rest my head on his heart when I can’t see that way to go forward anymore.

I praise Him and sing to Him for all that is good; for love and blessings, for sunshine and shadows, for life and for breath. I thank Him for the exquisite joy of living, for the privilege of walking hand in hand with my Maker as I tackle all of life’s joys and challenges.

There is something different in the way I live my life now, and that difference is trust. I have found that trusting in God gives me the freedom to believe in the possibilities. No matter what happens, I know God is with me, and He has my best interest at heart.

It has taken a very long time to realize I don’t need to be in control; that by trusting in God I can surrender my tightly-held belief that only I can make this life happen the way I want it to.

There are many times when the only thing I can do is trust in God. When I am helpless in my fear or in my inability to see beyond my emotions, I trust in Him to see clearly for me. I know God will never leave me, and His plan for me will take me through the valleys and back up onto the mountaintop.

Trust is something, I have found, that needs to be nurtured one day at a time. It is the nature of the human spirit to want to strive to be in control of our own lives. The true pathway to peace is to relinquish control to God, realizing we really don’t control our own destiny as much as we would like to think we do.

There is a peace in letting go of this control. Trusting God with what lies ahead makes for smooth sailing no matter how rough the waters. My prayer for many months has been, “All that I am, and all that I am meant to be, let it be in your will for me.” 

My prayer has been to allow God to work through me to help me become the woman He has meant for me to be. Instead of striving for perfection, or trying on my own to always fight the good fight, I relinquish control of my destiny to the One who held it all along. My future has never felt more sure, even though nothing in life is certain. The constant in my life is the faith I have that God will lead me where He wants me to go.

"'For I know the plans I have for you', says the Lord. 'They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.'"   Jeremiah 29:11

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take." Proverbs 3:5-6