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

Fend Off Sin and Do Good

Turn away from evil and do what is good; seek peace and pursue it. – (Psalm 34:14, HCSB)

Stop doing anything evil, and do good. Look for peace, and do all you can to help people live peacefully. – (Psalm 34:14, ERV)

Turn your back on sin; do something good. Embrace peace – don’t let it get away! – (Psalm 34:14, MSG)

Sometimes doing good is walking away from a fight that is tempting, and choosing to only engage when kindness can be extended. Our charge is to seek peace, not get sucked into petty disputes. The best way to do this is to pursue God and His will. Often, when I begin to get angry or frustrated with someone, God stops me in my tracks and I find myself asking Him to show me His heart for them. What I have discovered each time that I have done so, there is a softening in me toward the other. Usually, I discover that the very behavior that got under my skin, was motivated by their own hurts. Does it make it right? No, but it does provide compassion and the capacity to respond gently with goodness and kindness. This is a lifelong process to pursue, not a one-and-done in a tough space. May we ever seek the Lord to help us stop doing the things we ought not do, and do the good that He calls us into. In the process, may we find His peace and embrace it.

Turn from temptation,

To do what’s not right;

Demean or put down,

Jump into a fight.

Instead, seek the Lord,

Allow Him to lead;

Choose extend the good,

That His word decrees.

Embrace the Lord’s peace,

As it enters in;

For as we listen,

We fend away sin.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are good, loving and a promoter of peace. Thank You that as we seek You, You give us Your heart for others and help us turn away from the sin that so easily entangles us. Forgive us for allowing our pride to get the better of us so that we walk into a war that need not be waged. Show us Your heart for those around us so that we might see them through Your eyes. Lead us to extend goodness and kindness to those around us as we embrace Your perfect peace. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we walk away from the sin that attempts to creep in, and lead us to embrace Your peace as we seek You to do the good that we have been called to do. Amen.

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

If your brother or sister in God’s family does something wrong, go and tell them what they did wrong. Do this when you are alone with them. If they listen to you, then you have helped them to be your brother or sister again. – Matthew 18:15

Do Good and Seek Peace

Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. – (Psalm 34:14, NIV) 

Stop doing anything evil, and do good. Look for peace, and do all you can to help people live peacefully. – (Psalm 34:14, ERV) 

Turn your back on sin; do something good. Embrace peace – don’t let it get away. – (Psalm 34:14, MSG) 

If ever there was a time to do good and seek peace, the time is now. My heart breaks more every passing day, as the cities of our nation are being set on fire, and people can find no peace. How do we collectively turn from evil and do good?  

I am seeing examples of communities coming together in the aftermath of the destruction caused the night prior, and working together to clean up and restore the areas heavily damaged. There is good being done. It is a start, but not at all where it should end. Relationships are fragile, and choosing to look for ways to do good is one thing that we all can do. 

In this space, where peace is seemingly impossible, we must seek the Prince of Peace. We need wisdom and grace, mercy and understanding, to move forward to bring forth peace. May we fix our eyes, hearts and minds on He, who is our peace, and choose to do good so that peace may be found and embraced. 

Choose turn from evil, 

Image shared by Patricia Taylor

And seek to do good; 

It is how to love, 

Makes grace understood. 

In space of unrest, 

With Christ, pursue peace; 

Move forward in grace, 

Goodness be released. 

In all things, choose love, 

For it is the place; 

Where peace may be found, 

Purposeful embrace. 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are the Prince of Peace. Thank You that in times of turmoil, we can turn to You and find peace and choose to do good. Forgive us, individually, and collectively, as we need Your healing to come into our hearts, homes, cities and our nation. Show us how to do good, and bring Your peace in places where peace is lacking. Teach us to love practically and tangibly, so that healing may happen and peace may be found. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we prayerfully pursue You, and listen to Your leading to love well and do the good that must be done. Amen. 

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

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. – John 14:27