Ten Boom’s quote is so true…the center of His will is definitely my only safety especially when I’m living through the worst health pandemic of my lifetime with lots of unknowns.
I’m human and experiencing the same fears of the unknown that you are but I choose to not live in those fears. When I live in fear, I am turning my back on God and living in my will and my experience tells me that is not a safe place to be.
Yesterday morning I was drawn to the words of Paul from Philippians, chapter 4.
Philippians 4:4-7
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Paul is not telling us to rejoice and be happy about our current state of affairs but to rejoice in the Lord and His strength, power, and goodness.
Paul calls on us to be reasonable, which means staying calm, steady, and courageous through this storm. In essence, he calls us to take on the character traits of Christ. Would Jesus ever hoard toilet paper?
Next and this is HUGE–Paul tells us to not be anxious about anything. We live in a world of extreme anxiety–even prior to this pandemic. Paul gives us an antianxiety roadmap as he tells us to replace our fear-induced anxiety with prayer, thanks, and most importantly to let our requests be known to God. If ever there is a time to not think any prayer request is too small, it is now.
Finally, Pauls tells us the sum of this equation in battling anxiety is a PEACE that surpasses all understanding.
Back to the opening quote.
I’ve followed the precepts of Christ long enough to know when I’m not living in His will and it’s when my life is experiencing anxiety that surpasses all understanding. That is a dangerous place for me to be and it’s impossible for me to be an effective disciple to others when I’m living there.
How about you?
Romans 12:12, “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. “
Ephesians 5:17, “Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”
Journal your thoughts:
What am I grateful for today?
In what way(s) will I bring light to the world today?
What will I deny myself so I may draw closer to God and gain more peace in my life today?
Prayer:
God, I offer myself to Thee—To build with me and to do with me as Thou wilt. Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do Thy will. Take away my difficulties that victory over them may bear witness to those I would help of Thy Power, Thy Love, and Thy Way of life. May I do Thy will always! Amen. (Third Step Prayer – Chapter 5, pg.63, The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous)
P.E.A.C.E.
Jay@EagleLaunch.com
