“Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it” (Psalm 34:14/NAS).
It has amazed me while writing the stories of God in my journey, seeing His hand interwoven in between each line. I now have perfect peace as I visualize the scenes in my head of all that has transpired in my life. I have not always had a calm heart when I have recounted those same backward glances inside out.
Looking through the monocle of God, understanding more His flawless faithfulness, I can now see the things that happened to me both emotionally and physically had nothing to do with me. It all had to do with the person’s history and coping strategy. Those previous inside feelings that came out of me caused more harm to myself and those around me.
I can see clear as crystal Philippians 4:7, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” I have experienced that unquestionable peace many times before.
- The first time I flew overseas by myself to a Third-word country.
- The hundreds of times that I traveled by train or taxi alone when I lived overseas.
- The drive from Washington State to Virginia took nine days, with my autistic son and his ESA puppy.
- I have lost count of the number of times that I have had speaking engagements, executed seminars, and completed training groups for people in special education, and regarding the atrocities of human trafficking to audiences both in the U.S. and overseas. When I turned each event over to the Lord, I had boundless peace, an anointing each time that captured the audience… only by the Lord’s empowerment, “You made me bold with strength in my soul” (Psalm 138:3).
Why is perfect peace so important? Happiness is fleeting, sorrow is but for a moment, anger is destructive both to your health and to your relationships, but inner peace can last for a lifetime. I know at least fifty times that pursuing and having peace is in the Bible.
- Psalm 34:13, “Seek peace and pursue it.”
- Hebrews 12:14, “Pursue peace with all men.”
- Romans 14:19, “So then let us pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.”
- 2 Corinthians 13:11, “Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, and live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.”
The great orator, Merriam-Webster, said that to pursue is…”to follow in order to overtake, to find or employ measures to obtain or accomplish.” Pursue peace to overtake what? For example, in my life… peace guards my heart and mind so that when I look at past abuses and rejection, it doesn’t overwhelm me or engulf me. Even in the present, if someone does or says something hurtful, I can have peace knowing,
- It’s not about me.
- The Lord knows all about it
- Something good will always come from it.
Remaining in peace is also a blessing.
Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called sons of God – Matthew 5:9
However, it is not possible for us alone to maintain perfect peace. We can try on our own, but it is like pushing a lawnmower without fuel. As hard as you push, the grass is still not going to get cut unless there is fuel and oil for the lawnmower engine to make the blades turn.
Our body was not created to run without fuel. We need food for physical energy and Divine anointing for inner peace. That Divine anointing comes only from God through His word.
You will keep in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. (Isaiah 26:3)
In peace, I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety. (Psalm4:8)
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)
So the next time the enemy whispers any past rejection, abuse, or failure in your ear, forgive the person or yourself, and, Do your best to live in peace with everyone, (Romans 12:18/NCV). Obtain the power to enable you from the One True Source, Christ.
I am deeply grateful for the peace that I cannot fabricate on my own.
Shalom
Meditate further: Colossians 3:15, Psalm 29:11, John 14:27, Proverbs 16:7
Waves of Gratitude 