The Watered Soul

Finding Refreshment in the Word

Holding Onto Peace

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As we are turning the corner on the holidays what is the state of your heart and mind? Are you anticipating this season with joy or do you find yourself a bit overwhelmed with anxious thoughts of everything on your to-do list? Troubled by recent news? Weighted by trying to keep things in balance all year long.

The holidays can lend itself to a mixed bag of emotions. Despite all the things we have to be grateful, the gathering of friends and families can leave us feeling worn and empty when we fail to set our focus on the proper things. There is something about seeing others that can stir up in ourselves that evil wind of comparison and thoughts of why am I not doing more.  For the single girl, thoughts of why am I not married yet can rear its ugly head, although it’s been silent all these other times.  Not to mention, the inquiring minds of relatives asking well-meaning questions that you would just assume avoid.

Whether our holidays are spent quietly or surrounded by people, we can enjoy the gift that Jesus left to us.  John 14:17 says,

I am leaving you with a gift-peace of mind and heart. And  the peace I give isn’t like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid. John 14:27 NLT

While the stores are advertising their Black Friday and Pre-Black Friday deals so that we can get all of our holiday shopping done, I wonder how much time do we truly focus on the gifts we already have in our possession.  I appreciate a good sale as much as the next person, in fact, I’m hoping to get some deals myself but when I read that passage from John 14:27, I can’t help but think about the many times I have left the gift of peace unwrapped while I fretted.

Did my fretting negate the fact that Jesus gave you and I the gift of peace? NO! As with any gift, it is up to the recipient to decide if they will accept the gift and make full use of it.

dont_leave_your_peace

My hope for you is that whether your family gathering goes off without a hitch as planned or you find yourself digging through the messy places of life during this holiday season that you are able to unwrap and hold to God’s gift of peace. I’m learning that this gift of peace does not mean that we always abide in circumstances that naturally evoke a tranquil state of peace of mind and heart. In fact, the winds of life might be blowing hard and rocking our sacred personal lifeboats.  But we do not have to let winds around us snuff out the truth in our mind and heart to which we hold anchor. 

May I pray for you, friend.

Lord, thank you for your gift of peace that is available to us even in the midst of troubling times. For you are far better to us than we ever deserve. We can spend all of our allotted days on earth and never fully unpack all that you have given to us through you gift of your son Jesus. But we want to do a better job of it. Help us to understand and  to access all that you have made available to us through Jesus. Amen.

Comments

  1. Sharon says

    Great reminder, Wanda. All too often I get caught up in the *hubbub* and find myself anything but peaceful! This holiday season I am focusing on The Gift, the Lord Jesus Christ – our Prince of Peace!

    Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours! May it be filled with faith, family, friends, fellowship…OK, and lots and lots of food!

    GOD BLESS!

    • Wanda says

      Oh yes, we can’t forget the good food Sharon 🙂 Seriously, as I have been working through this study of the names of God the Prince of Peace has been our focus for this week and I have been reminded of just how much we have given in the gift of Jesus. Hope you and your family enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving Sharon.

  2. Cheryl Smith says

    Wonderful, life-giving words, Wanda! I appreciate this post so much. May God bless you with a peace-filled Christmas, too. 🙂 Sending you much love, my friend.

  4. Pam says

    “I can’t help but think about the many times I have left the gift of peace unwrapped while I fretted.” I have been guilty of this myself, Wanda. But I find that as a grow older I realize anew the futility of it and recognize it as just one more way Satan tries to steal our peace.

    • Wanda says

      He is so crafty in the little ways he tries to steal our peace. The more I have been focused on reading passages about peace I’m realizing that I can choose another default. Hope you enjoyed a Happy Thanksgiving Pam.

  5. Barbie says

    AMEN! It’s so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season. I want to remain in His peace and offer peace to others.

    • Wanda says

      It’s a struggle I’m all to familiar with myself Barbie. I hope you are able to enjoy all the seasons brings while embracing His peace.

  6. Dawn says

    This was JUST what I needed today! Thank you for the beautiful prayer, for the wise words and the gentle reminder that these fruits of His Spirit are to be unwrapped and put to use.

    Blessings!
    Dawn

  8. Ceil says

    Hi Wanda! Your blog design is really pretty 🙂

    Thank you for your good wishes and your good word here too. I know that the key to peace is to hold on to it in hard times, and that’s always when I falter. Thank you Lord for my faith, without it I’d be tossed across the waves for sure.

    You are so right about hanging in there with the Lord when the winds blow our boat all over the place. There is a reason for it all, and I’ll come up stronger and more joyful if I can stay in love and peace.

    Have a wonderful Christmas season, and may you always feel His peace,
    Ceil

    • Wanda says

      Thank you Ceil for the compliment. It’s great that we have faith as an anchor during the many seasons of our life. I know that I’m grateful that it always manages to pull be back in when I find myself floating. Blessings and joy to you and yours!

  10. Rhapsody says

    Blessings….
    Actually for me I try to hold peace with me, its what keeps me for flying apart when things outside of my control happens. I keep God in my thoughts at all times and at the end of the day I find something to be grateful and thankful for. Are things perfect, No. Are things as I will like it to ultimately to be, NO. Are there things to be done, left undone, may not be done, yes. I am happy and thankful anyway.

    peace.
    Rhapsody
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  11. LaVonne says

    Wanda, I can’t tell you how much it means to be reminded of these words. Just know that they are needed and I greatly appreciate you. May you be abundantly blessed and the desires of your heart be granted.