Steady in the Storms

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – (Philippians 4:6-7, NIV)

Don’t worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks for what you have. And because you belong to Christ Jesus, God’s peace will stand guard over all your thoughts and feelings. His peace can do this far better than our human minds. – (Philippians 4:6-7, ERV)

Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of you life. – (Philippians 4:6-7, MSG)

Worry and anxiousness are tangible signs that things are out of balance in our hearts and minds. Most often, it is because we are not praying and seeking God about what is going on, nor giving thanks for that which we have. Because we belong to Christ Jesus, He will guard and protect us, and give us direction as to what we can do and grant us His peace that guards our hearts and minds. His wholeness is made known as we seek Him and trust that He is the One who can work all things out for good. Yes, there are times when there is an issue that brings us to a place that we need God to show us tangible help to supply His peace and rest in His presence. We are created to be in community. Part of being a community includes helping bear one another’s burdens, and walking alongside each other in seasons of both struggle and of celebration. There is a quieting of the clamor caused by chaos that comes when we join with another to pray. Strength and resolve rise up and we are encouraged to get back to praying in all things and at all times. May we ever seek the Lord to show us His perfect peace as we pray, for it is as we pray for help and give Him thanks that we discover the peace that only God provides.

Lord, be our anchor,

https://soundcloud.com/user-955678799/steady-through-the-storm

throughout each new storm;

for Your love’s greater,

and Your peace transforms.

You transform our heart,

mind, body, and soul;

the depth of Your love,

brings peace, makes us whole.

Help us keep seeking,

in prayer, with praise;

Your faithfulness shown,

throughout all our days.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that we need not worry nor be anxious about anything, but instead, we can bring our requests before You and trust in Your goodness and grace. Thank You that when worries come, You remind us that You are greater than all that we face. Forgive us for our fears and anxiousness, for You have overcome all that we will ever endure. Teach us to trust You more, for You are faithful to show us the ways we are meant to go and how to maneuver in all things. Lead us in Your love to care well for those around us, so that they too may know Your perfect peace, be it in storms or in settled spaces. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we ever seek and praise You, for You are our anchor and the One who keeps us steady in all sorts of seas. Amen.

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

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths. – Proverbs 3:5-6

Be Strong and Take Courage

“Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord Your God is with you wherever you go.” – (Joshua 1:9, HCSB)

“Remember, I commanded you to be strong and brave. Don’t be afraid, because the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” – (Joshua 1:9, ERV)

This is My command: be strong and courageous. Never be afraid or discouraged because I am you God, the Eternal One, and I will remain with you wherever you go. – (Joshua 1:9, VOICE)

The strength and courage that God calls us to is the very thing that He equips us for. He does not say be strong and then expect us to muster up strength on our own; He supplies it. The same is true for courage. With God, we need not fear, for He goes before us, remains with us, and sees us through whatever comes our way. His presence is promised wherever we go, so there is no place that we can wander that God is not with us. There is much comfort in this, as the world can be a place that causes us to question how to continue forward in the direction we have been called. God knows we are subject to fear and discouragement. He is greater than any trial that lies before us, and He grants us the strength and courage that we need to press on. May we ever seek the Lord to strengthen us and replenish our resolve, for it is through Him that we can continue through both calm and chaos.

Be strong, take courage,

the Lord’s ever near;

our Help and our Hope,

the calmer of fear.

He grants us the strength,

to rise and press on;

calls forth our courage,

’til each day is done.

Choose trust in the Lord,

for He will supply;

all that is needed,

and strength to choose try.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are our Source of strength and courage. Thank You that we do not have to somehow muster up such things to press on, but rather You come alongside us and equip us with all that we need to be strong and courageous. Forgive us for our fearfulness. Teach us how to trust You in all things and at all times. Lead us to find our strength and courage in You. Show us how to love those around us in ways that offer strength and courage to others too. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You and trust You to supply all that we need to press on. Amen.

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

The Lord my God was with me, and that gave me courage. – Ezra 7:28b

God is… (Day 5 – My Savior)

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. – (Philippians 3:20, NIV)

But the government that rules us is in heaven. We are waiting for our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, to come from there. – (Philippians 3:20, ERV)

But we are citizens of heaven, exiles on earth waiting eagerly for a Liberator, our Lord Jesus the Anointed to come. – (Philippians 3:20, VOICE)

This morning, I am unpacking what it means to me that God is my Savior. In order to see God as our Savior, we must first recognize our own need for being saved. For me, it takes little time to recognize the state of the world today and how much we all are in need of salvation. God sent Jesus to be the Savior of the world, and it is through salvation in Him that we are granted citizenship in heaven. Our acceptance is part of our being saved, and we have hope that knows no end. Incredibly, our Savior, though in heaven, is continually moving on our behalf, for He hears our prayers and upholds us all of our days. I am acutely aware of His help and His hope each new day, for He saves me from unrest with His peace, from chaos with His calm, from rejection with His acceptance, and it is His love that saves me from all that comes my way. This can be in simple ordinary things, for our Savior cares about all. He goes before me when I have appointments that are new or unnerving, and remains with me each step that I take. Hope is not found in the temporary and fleeting things on earth, but in our eternal home that awaits all who trust in the Savior. In all things, He is good, and His love is made evident in all. May we ever seek the Lord and trust Him as our Savior, for through Him, we are citizens of heaven, awaiting our eternal home with Him.

God is our Savior,

for He is the way;

to hope forever,

and help for today.

He saves us from all,

that tries to derail;

He strengthens in love,

why He bore the nails.

We each were destined,

to pay the great price;

for our sin and shame,

but He sacrificed.

It is by that love,

that we are His own;

embraced and welcomed,

our eternal home.

Though we’re not there yet,

our future’s secure;

Jesus has given,

salvation right here.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are God our Savior. Thank You that You save us and call us Your own. Thank You that by Your grace we are given citizenship to our eternal home. Thank You that Your help and hope, love and strength are not just for someday, but are available and freely given in the here and now as well. Forgive us for losing sight of the incredible sacrifice that You made as our Savior. Teach us to continually seek You to show us more and more of Yourself as we see and grow in understanding of what our salvation truly means. Lead us to love those around us well, so that they too, may know the power of a Savior. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You for our promised hope that was made tangible through Your sacrifice that saved us. Amen.

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

Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long. – Psalm 25:5

Respond Gently

A gentle answer turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath. – (Proverbs 15:1, HCSB)

A gentle answer makes anger disappear, but a rough answer makes it grow. – (Proverbs 15:1, ERV)

A gentle response defuses anger, but a sharp tongue kindles a temper-fire. – (Proverbs 15:1, MSG)

This is a game-changer in every area of our lives if we abide by it. When someone who is enraged is responded to gently, it seems to flip a switch and bring them back to reality. We tend to match the way that others are speaking to us, so if we are yelling or speaking out in anger and then have someone answer us gently, it is as if the steam that had been built up, is suddenly released, and the press of the fury has fled. I know this to be true in both my home and in my classroom. The challenge is to remember to keep calm and speak with kindness, even when chaos seems inevitable. This is not something we can just do, but rather as we seek God to equip us, He floods us with His peace, and grants us gentle words, even when we desire to do otherwise. We are all a work in progress, and not one of us has this entirely mastered, yet the more we practice, the more natural it becomes. May we ever seek the Lord to grow us in grace so that we may always have a gentle response to bring calm to the chaos around us.

A gentle response,

Makes wrath disappear;

It calms the chaos,

And soothes away fear.

For God is our peace,

Ever He is near;

He grants us the words,

To make His love clear.

Help us keep seeking,

To respond like You;

Make grace abundant,

So Your love shines through.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call us to love as You love. Thank You that Jesus showed us over and over again how to respond gently and to love deeply. Forgive us for the times that we have answered anger with anger instead of responding with gentleness and kindness. Teach us to trust You to provide the sort of peaceful response that brings calm and promotes peace for all. Show us how to love others with how we respond in all situations and circumstances. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to lead us to respond gently when someone around us is riled up. Amen.

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

With all humility and gentleness, with patience, accepting one another in love, diligently keeping the unity of the Spirit with the peace that binds us. – Ephesians 4:2-3

Perfect Peace Through Trust

You will keep the mind that is dependent on You in perfect peace, for it is trusting in You. – (Isaiah 26:3, HCSB)

God, You give true peace to people who depend on You, to those who trust in You. – (Isaiah 26:3, ERV)

You will keep the peace, a perfect peace, for all who trust in You, for those who dedicate their hearts and minds to You. – (Isaiah 26:3, VOICE)

God is faithful to give us His perfect peace as we trust in Him. His peace is not dependent on our situations or circumstances, but rather is reliant on Him. We can be in the midst of chaos or turmoil, and still know His peace. Our surroundings do not have to dictate our heart condition. Even in the space of the unknown, we can know perfect peace as we place our trust in God. May we ever seek the Lord and depend on Him, for He grants us true peace as we trust in Him.

As we trust in God,

We can come to know;

The Lord’s perfect peace,

Wherever we go.

No matter what comes,

His peace can remain;

Our God is greater,

There’s hope in His Name.

No matter what comes,

Seek God and His grace;

His peace is perfect,

In every space.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that as we trust in You, You show us Your perfect peace. Thank You that Your peace is not dependent on our circumstances, but rather is dependent on You alone. Forgive us for allowing life to steal our peace. Teach us to place all of our trust in You. Show us how to love those around us in ways that promote Your peace wherever we go and whatever we do. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust in You alone to be our perfect peace. Amen.

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

The Lord gives His people strength; the Lord blesses His people with peace. – Psalm 29:11

Strength and Peace

The Lord gives His people strength; the Lord blesses His people with peace. – (Psalm 29:11, HCSB)

May the Lord make His people strong. May the Lord bless His people with peace. – (Psalm 29:11, ERV)

God makes His people strong. God gives His people peace. – (Psalm 29:11, MSG)

Life is an endless rollercoaster of ups and downs, highs and lows, and we need the Lord to navigate well. He supplies us with the strength we need and He grants us His peace, even in the midst of chaos, storms, and uncertainty. Incredibly, God grants us strength and peace for more than just ourselves. As we trust in Him and seek to love people as He calls us to love, we find that He uses our willingness to share all that He gives with those around us who need it. May we ever seek the Lord to be our strength, and depend on Him, for He is our peace.

The Lord gives us strength,

When ours is all gone;

Our help and our hope,

To keep pressing on.

In Him there is peace,

Ever it is new;

Despite circumstance,

He will lead us through.

Lord, help us focus,

Our hearts and our minds;

On all that is You,

And how You supply.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are our strength and our peace in all things and at all times. Forgive us for the times that we neglect to recognize the strength that You are providing, or for not slowing down to lay hold of the peace that You are creating within us. Teach us to trust and rely on You. Show us how to love those around us in ways that extend strength and peace where it is needed most. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You for the strength and peace that You provide, and trust in You to continue, always. Amen.

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

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart rejoices, and I praise Him with my song. – Psalm 28:7

Unlikely Allies

While he was sitting on the judge’s bench, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for today I’ve suffered terribly in a dream because of Him!” – (Matthew 27:19, HCSB)

While Pilate was sitting there in the place for judging, his wife sent a message to him. It said, “Don’t do anything with that man. He is not guilty. Last night I had a dream about Him and it troubled me very much.” – (Matthew 27:19, ERV)

While court was still in session, Pilate’s wife sent him a message. “Don’t get mixed up in judging this noble man. I’ve just been through a long and troubled night because of a dream about Him.” – (Matthew 27:19, MSG)

I have read the account of all that Jesus endured on His way to the cross countless times. For whatever reason, what stood out to me this morning is that the most unlikely of people seemed to be in His corner. After enduring two trials and three denials, I imagine it felt like no one was for Him. Both Pilate and his wife spoke on His behalf, recognizing and declaring His innocence. Though Pilate eventually gave into the chaos of the crowd, he had spoken out about Jesus and had declared that He had done nothing worthy of death. These things make me wonder what life was like for them after Jesus had died, risen and ascended. My heart hopes that because they had been in His presence and had witnessed the heart, humility and grace that Jesus displayed, that their lives were forever changed. This morning, my prayer is that all those around us will see Jesus in us and be drawn into His goodness and grace.

Unlikely allies,

A judge and his wife;

Knew what really was,

And fought for His life.

Yet despite their words,

That which had to be;

The life of Jesus,

For you and for me.

There was not a way,

To bypass the cross;

He was not willing,

For us to be lost.

The joy of it all,

Arrived the third day;

Death couldn’t hold Him,

For He is the way.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that Your word is alive and active, and that You show us new things each time we are intentional to invest time in Your word. Thank You that You use unlikely people to show us more of You. Forgive us for not pausing to ponder or for rushing ahead when You always have something for us to learn. Teach us to be intentional in our seeking and listening. Show us more of You in everyday and unexpected places. Lead us to love those around us in ways that demonstrate Your goodness and grace and penetrate the hardest of hearts. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we pause, ponder, and praise You for all that You have done in our lives. Amen.

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

By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. – John 13:35

Peace to Pass On

And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. – (Philippians 4:7, HCSB)

And because you belong to Christ Jesus, God’s peace will stand guard over all your thoughts and feelings. His peace can do this far better than our human minds. – (Philippians 4:7, ERV)

Then God’s wonderful peace that transcends human understanding, will guard your heart and mind through Jesus Christ. – (Philippians 4:7, TPT)

This verse is a reminder to us all that God is the place where peace is found. When we seek and rely on Him, we discover that Christ will guard our hearts and minds from the chaos that surrounds us so that we still know and experience peace within. As we navigate and operate in His peace, we encourage those around us to experience the same. May we ever seek the Lord and His peace, for it protects and provides what we need, no matter what surrounds us.

The peace of the Lord,

Is like no one else;

To know Christ alone,

Is to find oneself.

Past understanding,

Love that grants us peace;

That fills up our hearts,

And will never cease.

For God is the rock,

To whom we can cling;

Everything good,

Is what His grace brings.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that Your peace guards our hearts and minds and keeps us pressing on. Thank You that You fill us to overflowing so that we may share Your goodness and grace that grant peace. Forgive us for taking our eyes off of You when the storms seem too strong. Teach us to trust You more, for You can bring peace in chaos with mere words. Show us how to be still and know that You are God. Lead us to love those around us well, and may Your peace be present and shared with all. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, for You are our peace in and through all. Amen. 

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

The Lord gives His people strength; the Lord blesses His people with peace. – Psalm 29:11

To Know Peace

“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, NIV)

“And everything I’ve taught you is so that the peace which is in Me will be in you and will give you great confidence as you rest in Me. For in this unbelieving world you will experience trouble and sorrows, but you must be courageous, for I have conquered the world!” – (John 16:33, TPT)

“I have told you these things so that you will be whole and at peace. In this world, you will be plagued with times of trouble, but you need not fear; I have triumphed over this corrupt world order.” – (John 16:33, VOICE)

Because we live in a broken and fallen world, there will be times of trouble. However, with Christ in us, we can have peace despite what surrounds us. He has already experienced the same sort of trials, sorrows, and difficulties that we face and bore the weight of all on His shoulders. In the same way a parent can bring calm and peace to an upset child, God can be our comfort and safe place to rest in Him. His love brings comfort and calm, even through our greatest trials and places of pain. This is not just theoretical, for I have known and experienced God’s peace through heartache, hurt and helplessness. When there was nothing I could do to make my circumstances better or easier, He came alongside me and provided His strength and peace as He walked beside me and loved me through it all. Each time I have to walk through difficulty, God’s faithful, loving kindness meets me where I am at and leads me through; for He is my help, my hope, and my true place of peace. May we ever look to the Lord to be our peace, no matter what lies ahead.

Trouble comes and goes,

As it always does;

Yet God is faithful,

As He always was.

Peace in our chaos,

Calm through ev’ry storm;

Comfort in heartache,

And strength when we’re worn.

All that we’re facing,

And all we have known;

Jesus experienced,

So grace might be shown.

Lean into Jesus,

For He is the way;

To know love and peace,

He’s promised to stay.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are our comfort and peace, no matter what challenges we face. Thank You that You know heartache, suffering, and sorrow, and are able to bring comfort and peace in places it seems impossible. Forgive us for our struggle to trust when things are overwhelming. Teach us to turn to You in all things, for You are our perfect peace no matter what comes our way. Show us how to love those around us through every circumstance so that they too, may know Your loving kindness that brings peace. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust in You to be our peace in all things and at all times. Amen.

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

The Lord give His people strength; the Lord blesses His people with peace. – Psalm 29:11

Tangible Peace

May the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with all of you. – (2 Thessalonians 3:16, HCSB)

We pray that the Lord of peace will give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with you all. – (2 Thessalonians 3:16, ERV)

May the Master of Peace himself give you the gift of getting along with each other at all times, in all ways. May the Master be truly among you! – (2 Thessalonians 3:16, MSG)

Now, may the Lord himself, the Lord of peace, pour into you His peace in every circumstance and in every possible way. The Lord’s tangible presence be with you all. – (2 Thessalonians 3:16, TPT)

In Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians, this verse is a portion of his closing. His exhortation to them remains relevant and applicable to us today. I, for one, need God’s peace now more than ever. I am so thankful for His presence that provides peace, even when peace does not make sense. Getting along with others actively contributes to peace, and His presence makes it possible. As a visual and experiential learner, I so appreciate The Passions Translation that says, “the Lord’s tangible presence be with you all.” When God’s truth is made tangible, something that we can see, feel, experience and hold onto, it becomes a reality that we will not readily release. The more we invest in intentional time with Him, the more we understand and experience His peace. May we ever seek the Lord to be our peace in every situation and circumstance, and may we rely on Him to help us be at peace with all of those around us.

O Lord, hear our prayer,

For Your perfect peace;

To ever be near,

And set hearts at ease.

Show us Your goodness,

Fill us with Your love;

Lead us to live well,

With grace from above.

Help us show others,

Your love and Your grace;

Your heart tangible,

In all things, always.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that the same encouragement that was needed and granted so long ago, is still relevant and a blessing today. Thank You that You are the God of all peace, and You provide us paths to live accordingly. Forgive us for our frustrations and fears that disrupt the peace that You are offering. Show us how to lean into You in places that it is difficult to see and experience peace in the midst of seeming chaos. Lead us to love in a way that makes Your loving kindness tangible to all. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to lead us in Your love and be promoters of peace in places it is needed most. Amen.

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

The Lord gives His people strength; the Lord blesses His people with peace. – Psalm 29:11