The Calm That Comes

Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. – (James 3:18, NIV)

People who work for peace in a peaceful way get the blessings that come from right living. – (James 3:18, ERV)

The seed that flowers into righteousness will always be planted in peace by those who embrace peace. – (James 3:18, VOICE)

Peace is not necessarily the absence of chaos, but it is a calm that comes, despite what is going on, through the loving kindness of Christ. To be a peacemaker, we must choose to communicate calmly, and exercise self-control in all that we say and do. One of the definitions of peace found in dictionary.com, defines peace as: freedom of the mind from annoyance, distraction, anxiety, an obsession, etc.; tranquility; serenity. We are all a work in progress, and our freedom of the mind from these things seems to be proportional to our dependence on God. When we are actively and routinely seeking Him, His calm comes and peace prevails, regardless of our circumstances. As a middle school teacher, I am well aware of what peace feels like, despite the chaos. It is not the absence of annoyances or distractions, but it is the freedom to not be worn down, overwhelmed or controlled by them. There are times that they need be corrected or redirected, but when done in a calm and peaceful manner, it is better received and more quickly made right than if I allow frustration to get the better of me and give anger a foothold. May we ever seek the Lord to be our peace in every circumstance, and rely on Him to hold us in His hands, for it is in our awareness of His presence that we know and experience true peace, as relying on Him is right living.

The Lord is true peace,

in Him, we’re set free;

calm in the chaos,

our Help in our need.

Anxiety goes,

and peace finds a way;

to settle our hearts,

and make new, each day.

O Lord, please lead us,

to ever trust You;

for You are the way,

that peace is made new.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are our perfect peace, not matter what surrounds us. Thank You that as we trust and rely on You, You show us the calm that comes in knowing and following You. Forgive us for the times that we have allowed our circumstances to get the better of us, or have ignored the direction You have shown us to experience Your peace. Teach us to trust You more, for You show us what is good and right, and You provide peace that surpasses our understanding. Lead us to love as You love so that many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to lead us to live right and rely on You to be our perfect peace in all things and at all times. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You. – Isaiah 26:3

Do As We Want Done

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. – (Matthew 7:12, NIV)

Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them. Add up God’s Law and the Prophets and this is what you get. – (Matthew 7:12, MSG)

This is what our Scriptures come to teach: in everything, in every circumstance, do to others as you would have them do to you. – (Matthew 7:12, VOICE)

 

When I am angry, frustrated or fed-up, I tend to still speak as calmly and as kindly as possible. Students are often baffled by this phenomenon, as they recognize that their behaviors and choices might warrant a different response. I think that I give what I would like to see returned, and that the truth of God’s word has deep roots that have a way of reeling in my response so that I reply much more gently than I would have done otherwise. This is not to say that I have perfected this method of interacting with others, yet it is a priority to try to choose love, even when what is given is far from it. On most occasions, kindness disarms the heat others are holding when it is extended, despite their own anger that is spewing out. In my own moments of frustration, the times that I have been met with loving kindness, those were the very examples that squelched the flame and left me looking at the real reason my circumstance was upsetting. May we seek the Lord and His loving kindness to fill us up, so that we may go forth and give to others what we would like given to us.

 

In all that we do, 

Let love lead the way;

Choose give to others,

At home, work and play.

For we are all called,

Do as we want done;

How we treat others,

Leads to battles won.

For goodness given,

Squelches anger’s heat;

Love that’s extended,

Brings hatred’s defeat.

So, choose to love well,

Do as we want done;

This is obeying,

Scripture’s rule-of-thumb.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You treat us with loving kindness; always. Thank You that You call us to do for others what we would like done unto us. Forgive us for not responding in a way that we would want to receive. Teach us to trust You more, so that we give to others what we would like to be given, regardless of what we think they deserve. Thank You that You give us mercy and grace, though we are not deserving. Help us to do the same. Show us how to love those around us in the same way that we desire to be loved. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we do unto others what we would want done unto us, in everything and every circumstance. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy. – Job 8:21