The Third Most Powerful P

 

On August 17^th, we are officially empty nesters.

But we won’t be nesting in our current residence too long.

Once our son moves into his dorm room at the University of Arkansas, the plan is to downsize. We are making a quick move for many reasons, partly to pay for the rising cost of college, and partly to support my ministry habit.

I have to be honest; the move has robbed my peace at times.

I am a comfortable old shoe gal.

While I like adventure, I always look forward to returning to home base. And I really like my home base. Great friends, a wonderful church home, comfortable living.

The idea of uncluttering and packing up a household that has been very lived in for ten years is overwhelming. Especially when you have other responsibilities, a schedule to keep and ministry work to do.

And then there’s the idea of giving up some of the amenities. Haven’t we used this house for God’s work? Why can’t we stay here?

But I believe God is saying, “Are you willing to sacrifice for me?”

It’s a daunting task and a move to another neighborhood makes me uneasy.

My fingers finally started to pry off this property on Saturday. A speaker said that we as ministry leaders have to give up our “personal preferences.” She talked about her bad attitude when she didn’t get to take a trip she wanted to go on because of her busy ministry schedule. I immediately thought about the house I was giving up. I was having a BA as well.

I realized this home is a personal privilege I have to surrender in order to continue to do ministry and it’s going to be OK. God will lead us to our next residence and it will be beautiful. Even if it’s not, it’s where he wants us.

Peace at last.

When our reservoir of peace is empty, there is an action step. We must ask God to provide. Psalm 29:11 says, “The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.”

Isaiah 26:12 tells us that God establishes peace for us. In Hebrew, the word “establish” also means “appoint.” So God has appointed helpings of “peace” to each of us and he is ready and willing to place it in our hands. We just need to request the appointment.

In the New Testament, Jesus said he would leave us peace after his resurrection. He also told us to not let our hearts be troubled and to not be afraid (John 14:27).

What is troubling you?

Are you afraid right now?

Peace is one of the fruits of the spirit that Jesus left us (Galatians 5:22) but how do we harvest it? How do we put a lid on the anxiety and fill ourselves up with a basketful of peace?

The Bible says to chase after it.

Hunt it down.

Psalm 34:14 says, “Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.”

We have to be intentional about it. When stress overwhelms us, we need to stop and ask God to fill us with his peace and to remove any worry or anxiety.

It seems too simple doesn’t it? But for some reason, we don’t always ask. Instead, we tend to dwell in worry and angst for days on end.

We may not understand what’s on the other side of our trouble, but God does.

That’s why peace is one of the three most powerful P’s in the Bible because it is supernatural.

We can try to obtain it in our humanness but it just doesn’t work. Peace can only be found when we trust God with our circumstances and pray for it, then powerfully, the peace of God that passes all understanding will wash away the fear and anxiety that has taken over.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).