True Peace Through Trust

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

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 You, for those who dedicate their hearts and minds to You. – (Isaiah 26:3, VOICE) 

In the midst of this ever-changing world, true peace can often feel impossible. However, as we set our minds and hearts to depending on God to be our peace, He is faithful to meet us and grant us peace within. This feels even more important than ever, as nothing seems certain in the midst of a pandemic. Our jobs, our schools, our communities, our states, and our nation, each have to change and adapt in order to function. For many, change alone disrupts peace; navigating the new when all seems uncertain, points people more than ever, to seek peace in the middle of it all. When I fix my eyes on He who is my peace, and choose to trust in Him, rather than what I see or hear around me, I discover a peace that does not make sense. Calm in the storm and comfort in the chaos, despite our circumstances and surroundings. May we ever look to the Lord to be our peace, and trust in Him, as He meets us and brings His perfect peace to our minds and hearts, regardless of what surrounds us. 

The God of all peace, 

Always, He is near; 

To settle our hearts, 

And make our path clear. 

As we choose to seek, 

Ever we shall find; 

God’s goodness and grace, 

Brings peace to our minds. 

Lord, help us recall, 

In the midst of storms; 

That You are ready, 

To comfort and warm. 

All glory to God, 

Our place of true peace; 

Where chaos finds calm, 

And love is released. 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that we can come to You and trust in You to be our peace, regardless of what surrounds us. Forgive us for allowing our circumstances or surroundings to steal our peace, when You alone are our true peace. Teach us to always turn to You, for You are our true peace. Show us how to love those around us in ways that extend Your peace and comfort where there is unrest. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust You to keep perfect peace in our minds and hearts, no matter what lies ahead. Amen. 

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

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

Kind, Loving and Forgiving

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. – (Ephesians 4:32, NIV)

Be kind and loving to each other. Forgive each other the same as God forgave you through Christ. – (Ephesians 4:32, ERV)

But instead be kind and affectionate toward one another. Has God graciously forgiven you? Then graciously forgive one another in the depths of Christ’s love. – (Ephesians 4:32, TPT)

 

Typically, I am quite even tempered, as I seldom get overly upset or worked up about things; usually, I choose to take a deep breath, and keep pressing forward. However, like anyone, I do have my breaking point. When I reach a space where no matter how hard I work, and how much I try, I still feel grossly inadequate, it is then that I begin to withdraw, and the sarcasm spews out as an ugly coping mechanism. Thankfully, my Viking is kind and compassionate to me. He sees me wherever I am, and grants grace and extends love, with some humor, in a way that helps pull me out of my place of frustration and back into a space of depending on God’s abundant grace. Somehow, I am blessed with tremendous friends that do the same as well. In this season of adjusting and adapting to staying at home and working remotely, we all need to be kind, compassionate and forgiving. It is easy to extend these things to others, but much more difficult to offer the same to ourselves. God, in His outrageous grace, sent His Son for us, so that we might truly know and understand the depth of His forgiveness and love. My hope is that as we set our sights toward Easter, we might look to the cross and recognize that the forgiveness and redemption extended to all is a gift that we are meant to embrace, and then extend to those around us. May we each look for ways to be loving and kind to one another; graciously forgiving each other in love, just as we have been loved and forgiven by God.

 

Kindness, compassion,

Photo by Dee Jones of Open Door Photography ❤

Extended in grace;

The Lord’s forgiveness,

New, every day.

We all are chosen,

To love the same way;

Give love and forgive,

God’s grace on display.

As we extend love,

God’s love and light’s shown;

Forgiveness and grace,

In kindness, made known.

So, keep reaching out,

Choose love and forgive;

In kindness grant grace,

Where hope truly lives.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are kind and compassionate toward us, forgiving us in love. Thank You that You call us and empower us to do the same. Thank You for the people whom You have placed in our lives who show us these things in tangible ways. Forgive us for the times that we have lacked compassion, kindness or forgiveness toward those around us. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would extend the very things that You have so lavishly granted to us, to those around us. Show us how to best love those around us with kindness and compassion. Point out the places where we need to walk in forgiveness with one another. Grant us Your grace and strength to love like You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we choose to be kind and compassionate, and forgive one another as You have forgiven us. Amen.

 

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

 

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. – Romans 12:10