Peace and Joy — Reflection Series
If you have read any of my previous blogs, you’ll know that most center around a season in my life spent in prison. And, lately, as I have been reflecting back on that season, I’m realizing that the Lord used that time to develop and deepen my relationship with Him. And, out of that deeper relationship, has come a confidence, a boldness, and an unwavering belief that the promises in His Word are true for my life.
Over this past month, I’ve heard many believers say that their lives have been shaken by fear and doubt, confusion and discouragement, and a consuming weariness that makes it difficult to keep their footing in God’s Word.
I was in much the same place on the day I walked through the prison gates. I was desperate for His help, but had little left in me to even ask for it.
So, I asked God for His protection.
I didn’t know if I would get an answer, let alone hear His voice, and I certainly didn’t expect there would be conditions! But I did hear His answer, and what He told me was this: If I wanted His protection, I would need to follow all of the prison rules, I would need to be obedient, to work as unto Him, and to never ask Him how much longer. No, God wasn’t bargaining with me. He just knew better than I did what I was going to need to keep my focus on Him. In order for me to not only survive, but thrive in prison, God had to have my full attention.
From that very first day, I never felt fear, I was confident that He had me. But what I didn’t expect was the added benefit of the peace and joy I walked in every day. I found that no matter the chaos around me, the circumstances of my existence, or my lack of control over any of it—I was still able to rest in His peace. And interestingly enough, that place of rest in His peace and joy had always eluded me. But here, in prison, I was living it. Every day.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6
This was one of the first Scriptures I learned as a new Christian. And throughout the intervening years, I struggled with walking that Scripture out. Sure, I understood what it said, but it never got from my head to my heart. They were just words on a page. But while I was in prison it came so easily. That Scripture came to life and became a part of me—a part of who I was, a part of my nature. But when I walked back out those prison gates and into the ‘real’ world, it didn’t take me long to get right back to worrying, stressing, and continually looking for the peace and joy that once again eluded me.
How did that happen?
I had to ask myself a lot of questions as I looked back on that time in my life. Here are some of my take a ways:
Why was it so easy there? Was it because in prison I realized that it was only God who could keep me safe? Did I think it was time for me to handle my life again when I walked out those gates?
Or, did I let the chaos of life get in the way of the truth?
And why, if I knew what it was like to live in peace and joy, would I ever choose to go back into that bondage? Was I choosing not to trust in the Lord? Was I allowing myself to believe the lie and think that it was only possible to stand on His Word when things were bright and rosy?
The understanding for me came when I realized that while I was in prison, I walked in communion and intimacy with Him every day. And I couldn’t wait for evening when I could spend quiet time with Him. The truth is, that when I got out, other things started taking priority. Life got in the way.
I can honestly say that over the last 7 years I have made the choice to address everything that has tried to steal my peace and joy, and to once again regain that intimacy with the Father and His Son. Daily I ask the Holy Spirit to reveal what I need to do, and what I need to take authority over. And He has been faithful to lead me into His truth.
But first, I had to make a choice. I had to choose to focus on my Father and not on the chaos around me.
I want to leave you with this Scripture:
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27
That Word says don’t let your heart be troubled or afraid. Jesus said He gives you His Peace. So, grab hold of that today.
That peace belongs to you, and He’s inviting you to walk in it.
Are there areas in your life where you need the Holy Spirit’s help? Remember, He’s there to do just that. He lives inside you.
Let’s not allow what’s going on around us to steal what Jesus has already provided for us.
Amen?
