A piece on peace

Before I start writing (although technically I already have), I would like to make a few apologies. Firstly, for my lack of posts over the summer (been quite busy) and secondly, for the title of this post (it seemed appropriate for the content).

Ok, so I'm back in Guildford, with a new Transit year starting next week and I've found some room to breathe a bit. It's been a bit manic the last few weeks finalising the curriculum, sorting out things for the houses, arranging transport etc. I do really enjoy it (in a weird kinda way), but mid-way through this week just gone, I found myself exhausted, not sleeping well, worrying about the 'what-ifs' and running all the worse case scenarios through my head. The worries and anxieties were really beginning to overwhelm me. Then on Wednesday night, we had a small gathering at our house to eat, pray and worship together and God just reminded me how much rest and peace there is in his presence. As I took my eyes off myself and my own problems and focused them on Him, they didn't look so big anymore. I was able just to sit and soak in His love, not feeling that I had to earn it, but just enjoy it and as I did, my burdens were lifted from me.

As I look back over these last mad few years, I can see again and again that he has given me peace when I have needed it. He hasn't always changed the circumstance or made the problems go away, but he allows us to face them them with a peace that our God is bigger than these things and that He is in control.

Philippians 4:6-7 says "Don't worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."

Wow! What a promise. It's in God's presence, when we commune (share thoughts and feelings) with him, when we worship Him (even when we don't feel like it) that we find peace. A peace that doesn't make sense to us. A peace that guards our hearts and minds from further attack and allows us to see God as He should be seen, in control of all things!

I'm holding onto this promise again as I enter another busy season of life. I pray too that you would know His peace in your life and that the stresses and strains that we experience from day-to-day would not overwhelm you, but that you would know the Father's joy and love for you in a real way.

Amen.