God’s Peace in Troubled Times
by Lydia E. Harris
**Are you searching for peace in your life? http://christianwomentoday.com/prayer/share.html
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
Please read: John 16:25-33 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2016:25-33;&version=31;
What would you say to your loved ones if you knew you were dying? In today’s Scripture, Jesus says some of his last words to His disciples. Perhaps you could call this His farewell address. He knew He had finished His mission on earth and would soon return to the Father. So He gathered His disciples in the upper room to prepare them for what lay ahead. It would be easier for them to accept future events if they weren’t taken by surprise.
Jesus told His disciples that God loved them (v. 27), and they could pray directly to the Father in Jesus’ name (v. 26). He also said He would return to the Father (v. 28), and they would be scattered to their own homes (v. 32). But the words I found most encouraging were those in verse 33: They could have peace during troubled times because He had overcome the world.
I’m thankful Jesus’ message of peace was not for His disciples only. Today His comforting peace is available to us as well. Jesus assures us that no matter what happens in the world, because of His victory over the world and death, His peace can replace our panic and anxiety.
As I reflect on Jesus’ words of hope, I think my final words to loved ones would be similar to His: words of love, hope, and encouragement, pointing them to Jesus.
Corrie ten Boom, who faced imprisonment and hardships, knew where to find peace. She said, “Look around and be distressed. Look within and be depressed. Look to Jesus and be at rest.”
~Thank you, heavenly Father, for Jesus the Prince of Peace. I give You my anxieties and receive Your peace which passes all understanding. Remind me to find my peace in You during troubled times. Amen.
Questions: Are there areas in your life right now where you need to seek God for peace? What specific steps can you take to look to Jesus and find peace and rest amidst your troubles?
About the Author: http://talk.thelife.com/experience/devotionalforwomen/authors/lydia-e-harris/
11 Responses to “God’s Peace in Troubled Times”
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I love your daily devotionals. Could you hold them through the month of October? I will be on vacation.
Thank you, Gretchen
Hi Mrs. Thor! I think you just answered your own question! You can keep your emotions in check by remembering that “God has a plan and always provides!” If you truly believe this, then the trials of life are seen through God’s eyes, as opportunities for spiritual growth and development. Nothing in the Scriptures suggest that the Christian life is going to be easy; in fact, we are cautioned about the difficulties and suffering to be expected in following Christ! Being a Christian isn’t so much how we act when all is well, but how we react to our God-ordained trials. When we see our trials as God’s way of refining us, honing our faith, cultivating the fruits of the Spirit in us, then we will experience inner peace and joy in the midst of these trials. It is a matter of choosing to trust God for His promises, and living our lives in faith, believing. As you surrender your anger and frustration to God, He will exchange them for His grace to face your difficulties. I would encourage you to seek the Holy Spirit’s help in redirecting your focus to God’s blessings in your life — a husband who is able to provide, your children, health, etc. As you choose to praise God for His goodness to you, you will find your trials becoming less burdensome, and you will sense His Presence about you! And, your children will see the light of Jesus shine through you! God bless!
I find myself feeling angry and nervous abt my husband’s constant job changing. I remind myself often he always DOES have a job but the job changes are hard on our family and finances. I often take it out on my kids also. I need to remember God has a plan and always provides, but how do I keep my emotions on check?
What a timely inspiring message!! Indeed we live in a world full of burdens, challenges and troubles. Having to rely upon his divine peace is such a great priviledge and we are so blessed to be able to have faith and acknowledge that he is always there as he has already accomplished his mission on the world!! Halleluiyah & Praises always be to Jehovah!! One thing that is certain is that we are all going to die some day and we should be prepared by faith and perseverance in reading his words as our direction and source of peace and living his words and be able to share and encourage our families and neighbours for the same!! May the Lord be praised always!!
thank you, Marilyn for this reminder. yes, it is important to keep things in perspective (how hard that can be sometimes, in the day to day life!). thanks for all your encouragements and prayers.
Precious Lord, we thank You for Your grace in extending our days! Grant us Your passion for the lost, we pray, that those whom You have ordained along our path would see You in us, and Your love for them would be expressed through us! Make us lighthouses for You in our homes, Lord, in our neighborhoods, and in our workplaces! In Your glorious Name we pray, Amen!
Is it not interesting to consider what we might say or do if we were given the news that our days left on this Earth are numbered? That we have only a short time left? It occurred to me that our days are, indeed, numbered, that only the Lord knows how long each of us have here, and He has called us to live our days accordingly. Many of us will not have that opportunity to say the things that we would want to say, to those whom we love, before our passing. Or, many whom we love, will be taken from us before we took that opportunity to share with them about Jesus. May we all consider our days numbered, that we might not let opportunities to share His love and light with a perishing world pass us by!
today’s devotional brings reality to the surface. not all choose to think about it, its unpleasant. but it is a part of living. we are all going to die one day. God is the only one who knows the where and when. i asked my husband the question of what would you say to loved ones if you knew you were given the word by your doc. that you had, say, 6 months to live. his reply was, ”i’d tell you all to do the best you can cause we’re only given one chance, one life.” i replied, ”fair enough”. my spiritual growth and his spirituality, his faith are at different stages obviously. to answer the question for myself: I would tell them to turn their hearts to the Lord God and His Word and there they will eventually find the comfort they need to heal and continue forward. i would tell them that they must go on living joyously in His name, not in my memory. i pray that i will leave happy memories to them as my life has not been exactly trial and tribulation free. they all have seen what they have seen in the past and that’s where it is going to stay. the Lord has freed me, He has forgiven me as I have forgiven myself in order to heal and grow in His ways.
in reading John 16:25-33, I was brought to tears(joyous tears) because as I read it, I felt in my heart Jesus talking to me, me personally. He moved me, as so He should. there will always be areas in my life that will be seeking peace and serenity, therefore I will always be living and breathing for Christ Jesus. the steps I take each day in my walk with God involve praying, fellowship, studying His Word daily and listening. in this I feel the abundance of His righteousness, serenity and grace.
Yes, I will die one day and I will not die alone. God will be waiting with open arms. am I afraid of my impending death? I used to be. fear of the unknown ruled my world, controlled my existence. no more. I am not afraid of death, as death here will bring new life on a new earth and a new heaven. I pray to serve the Lord as best I can while I am here, He will not ask of me things He knows I can not do. but He does know that i will help and serve others where I can.
Revelations 21:4 says ”He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things have passed away.”
Amen
Our world gives me much to worry about. I find much comfort in these words “Jesus assures us that no matter what happens in the world, because of His victory over the world and death, His peace can replace our panic and anxiety.”
Thank you.
AMEN to this devotional
i have been through this three times with my mom,dad,and brother and i allways made sure i told them i loved them nothing else mattered
sharon