“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful. ~John 14:27 (HCSB)
It’s been a while since I posted here. Shortly after my last post, we’ve experienced an incredible amount of chaos in our lives. Often I feel like a ship being tossed on the ocean waves, with no controlling the circumstances we’re facing. But through it all, I keep thinking about the verse above. When I’m having a hard time falling asleep at night because of the stress of a situation, I reread this verse. I’ve also been trying to memorize it too.
I’ve also been reminded of the story when Jesus fell asleep in the midst of a storm. Here it is in Mark 4:37-40 (HCSB).
A fierce windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking over the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But He was in the stern, sleeping on the cushion. So they woke Him up and said to Him, “Teacher! Don’t You care that we’re going to die?”
He got up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Silence! Be still!” The wind ceased, and there was a great calm. Then He said to them, “Why are you fearful? Do you still have no faith?”
Notice how Jesus points out to His disciples about their lack of faith and fear.
I’m also reminded of this story of Jesus from Matthew 14:23-32 (HCSB):
After dismissing the crowds, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone. But the boat was already over a mile from land, battered by the waves, because the wind was against them. Around three in the morning, He came toward them walking on the sea. When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” they said, and cried out in fear.
Immediately Jesus spoke to them. “Have courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
“Lord, if it’s You,” Peter answered Him, “command me to come to You on the water.”
“Come!” He said.
And climbing out of the boat, Peter started walking on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid. And beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus reached out His hand, caught hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
I can’t help but notice the common theme of trusting Him and not being fearful. I don’t always have the answer of how to do that. So when I feel like the waves of my circumstance are crashing all around me and I feel like I’m sinking beneath the wave, I’m honest. I say to God, “I want the peace You promised me. This situation makes me fearful and troubled, but I’m trusting that You will help me not to be either of those.” Somehow in the midst of those prayers, His peace covers me.
I don’t know what you’re facing today, but I pray you have peace in the midst of your storm.