JOURNEY from MOURNING to JOY ~
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Day 5: The peace of God
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times
and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.
2 Thessalonians 3:16
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For the 2 QUESTIONS "In the Bible" and "In your life" applications, please refer to the "Help for the Journey" study.
In the Bible
SOURCE OF PEACE
Jesus Christ is our source of Peace (John 14:27) it's not merely reading a Bible verse that will give it to you, it's knowing the real presence of the One who can give it. When that happens, at the very core of our being, we can operate from a center of calm and assurance, without fear.
CIRCUMSTANCES when God will give me peace
I claim what this Bible Verse says... "AT ALL TIMES"... this means to me in every circumstance, any situation, the peace of God will reign; it may need to begin with confession (because peace cannot exist with disobedience), we need to change. It's the promise of a quiet heart in the midst of circumstances"I challenge you to find verses in the Bible where peace is promised to you and they're not related to a person. We have this concept that peace has to come through government, through legislation, through warfare, through all the variety of things that sinful people do who are looking for peace.
Yet the Bible is so very, very clear. Peace was always promised in a person. Peace was provided the night a particular person came and was born in Bethlehem. Now that same person says, "I'm going to leave My peace with you. If you want peace in the world, you have to get it through Me." ~ Back to the Bible, Woodrow Kroll
In your life
1. How has the process of grieving been different than you had expected?
2. How have others understood or misunderstood your grief?
I thought since I had battled with grief to the depths of being with the loss of my dearest family members for much of my life (death was as common as life) that I was prepared to grieve and assist others with the impact of the loss of this person (and now my dear dog Bravo). Being alone, leaning on God only, has taught me that He is with me and walks through this valley with me. I imagine that the biggest difference is being in another culture and the unknowns of this person's life has caught me off guard often. Not knowing if a person is saved and wondering why their death had to happen takes you on a different journey than one that you know the person's belief in God and through sickness or age have seen them draw closer to God.
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ReplyDeleteHe is my peace, now, and forever. I love you.
ReplyDeleteIn the Bible
ReplyDelete1. What is the source of peace?
2. In what circumstances will God give peace to you?
In your life
1. How has the process of grieving been different than you had expected?
2. How have others understood or misunderstood your grief?
Thank God for His perfect peace that passes all understanding. And I thank Him for His presence within and protection for you. Love you ~
ReplyDelete1. What is the source of peace?
ReplyDeleteThere is only one source of peace - that is the peace that is given by God. It is peace that speaks of our reconciliation with Him through the death and resurrection of Christ. And it is peace knowing that we are sealed for eternity through His gift of salvation. Peace is not the absence of troubles - it is the presence of God through them.
2. In what circumstances will God give peace to you?
God is capable of giving peace in ALL circumstances. I think that this peace is one of the singular differences between a believer and a non-believer. What do we do when terrible, difficult things happen? It is the believer's supernatural peace, and their confident joy, and surpassing hope that sets them apart.
1. How has the process of grieving been different than you had expected?
When I have experienced grief, there have been two things that were unexpected. One, was the utmost loneliness that it brings. The feeling that I am the only person who has ever felt this depth of despair. And yet, the second thing is the inner sense of quiet that seems to overtake me. There is a refining that happens in times of great grief - for all other unimportant things melt away.
2. How have others understood or misunderstood your grief?
Sometimes grieving people can be thought of as aloof or selfish. It's because grief is such an individual process - and we all react in different ways. Grief can be isolating, and there is a time and place to be alone with it. But there is also a time to be with others. Sometimes people don't understand that when the grieving person acts the least like they want company, sometimes that's when they want it and need it the most.
GOD BLESS!