Perfect Peace
I like to exercise and take regular walks. Yesterday, I came home after we went out to lunch and though it was a beautiful day, I just didn't feel like doing either. I was exhausted and just wanted to lie down. I decided I needed to get out and enjoy the wonderful weather, so I forced myself to take a walk. As I began, I prayed that God would speak and reveal something new to me. Since I had no desire to be out there, I began complaining to myself. The sun was hotter than I expected and extremely bright in my eyes. I hate it when men honk, they may think it's flattering, but there's always the thought, are they going to turn around and come back? So, I became concerned about that. I have almost been run over on the shoulder of the road I walk on when someone was looking at their phone. I had to jump out of the way to keep from getting hit. Now that was a concern too as I watched every car that came towards me. I began to feel some familiar pain in my body that tries to prevent me from getting fit... at this moment they were magnified by my lack of desire to be out there.
What should have been a relaxing time with God, was becoming stressful due to all of the crazy thoughts that were raging in my mind.
I got to my turning point and I thought, "God I've missed it! What do you want to show me?" As I turned around and started heading back, I heard Him say, "Just be quiet, watch and listen." The sun was no longer in my face and I felt a cool breeze blowing on me. I looked around and was amazed at the beauty of the wildflowers growing along the road. The leaves on the trees were such a beautiful rich green color, perfectly shaped and each one uniquely made. The dogwoods are in bloom and the mixture of the white flowers against the green backdrop was breathtaking! Due to all of the rain, the creeks are running full and the sound of the trickling water was so soothing. As I continued to listen I could hear the crickets and the birds chirping. I looked up at the blue sky and saw birds circling above (maybe that's because I was so tired I looked like I would soon keel over. Lol!) I began to worship God and thank Him for the beauty that surrounded me. The work of His hands designed just for us!
My pain and concerns were no longer an issue. What changed? The circumstances were still the same, but my perspective wasn't. I was no longer focused on the negative, but I began to be thankful for the incredible blessings all around. My focus was now on Jesus and His incredible love for me and no longer on the thoughts the enemy wanted me to focus on. Dwelling on the negative will only serve to change your attitude and demeanor, leading you to stress, anxiety and depression
No matter what you're going through today, there are opportunities to be thankful for God's blessings, love and peace, even in the midst of turmoil. This is a small reminder to stay focused on Jesus and He'll keep you in perfect peace!
Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV) You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.
Colossians 3:2-3 (NKJV) Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Philippians 3:15-16 (MSG) So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you’ll see it yet! Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it.
Philippians 4:8-9 (MSG) Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.
