We have been through the wringer but have come out the other side. Thank You, Father, for Your mighty and guiding hand. We would not be where we are if it were not for You!
John 14:27-31 (<<click here to read the passage)
What is one aspect of life that sinks its claws into pretty much every one of us? Rich or poor…male or female…in good or poor health…old or young…and on…and on…and on. I would dare say that we all struggle with…fear. And unfortunately fear knows no bounds. Wherever we find ourselves in life, fear can hound us. Fear can conquer us. Ofttimes we are so entangled by fear that we struggle to break free from its clutches.
So, what’s the answer? A gift, of all things!
Jesus said in verse 27,
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” v27
It’s a wonderful gift! But have you ever seen a small child opening presents at Christmas or a birthday? Often they get distracted by a gift they have already opened and sit down to play. Often there are more gifts to open (especially in our culture) and it is often necessary to get them to put down an opened gift to open another. If their hands are full of other things, they can’t accept what is being offered.
How much do we hang onto? Many of the things that bring us fear, we are afraid to put down. We are so consumed with the outcome of things that we wouldn’t dare to put it down. But that’s crazy! Hard parts of life, troubles in our families, burdens as work – they consume us! We fear letting them go thinking they will get even more out of control!
But what did Jesus say? “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart.”
Hmmm…set down your fear – giving it to Him – and pick up, instead, the gift of peace of mind and heart!
Give everything to the Creator of everything (Who better to handle it?!) in exchange for peace. And keep in mind, as my study Bible* puts it,
Unlike worldly peace, which is usually defined as the absence of conflict, this peace is confident assurance in any circumstance; with Christ’s peace, we have no need to fear the present or the future. Sin, fear, uncertainty, doubt, and numerous other forces are at war within us. The peace of God now moves into our hearts and lives to restrain these hostile forces and offer comfort in place of conflict. Jesus says he will give us to that peace if we are willing to accept it from him.
Lord Jesus, help us to set down our fear and to pick up Your gift of peace. It is a gift the world cannot give!
Sept 15th, 2021, Wed, 12:25 pm
