I prayed for God to lead me to the words He wanted me to share this weekend. I prayed and then I listened. For prayers fall silent when the heart is closed to receiving the answers. The word that came out of nowhere was “peace”. It felt like a random thought that happened to pass by at the same time I was opening my blog page to add a new post. But with God, there is no random – only measured, well thought out words, answers to prayers and plans for our lives.
[Tweet “Prayers fall silent when the heart is closed to receiving the answers.”]
My life has been full of all sorts of pieces that begin with the letter “P”. Somehow I feel when I put them all together it would make a good segment for Sesame Street for letter “P” day. I wrote about potential, purpose, passion and path and wrapped them all up with a pretty bow, or so I thought! I discovered one more piece was needed to tie them all together- another “P” word – PEACE!
When looking at our lives, each season brings a sense of peace or even turmoil. We can approach our lives out of frustration or seek to find the calm that keeps our turmoil in check. In order for God to work through the potential He has gifted us with, point us to our purpose and lead us to the passion that takes us on our path, we need to surrender the process to Him. The frustrations we feel along the way as well as the picture that may look like a blank slate are not worth hanging onto. God is in the picture even though we cannot see the outline and the objects that are already there. I have been hanging onto Job’s words, instead of God’s truth.
I have no peace, no quietness;
I have no rest, but only turmoil.” Job 3:26
I realized as I was reflecting on the current season of my life that I allow frustration to become a roadblock. I put too much pressure on myself to have it all figured out. I hold onto excuses that end up keeping me stuck in the place I am so desperate to leave.
The path that I dream about has become blurred, overwhelming and impossible to follow because I am choosing all the reasons not to be successful rather than the peace that comes from surrendering my mess to God. A peace that can be mine if I only let God direct the path rather than my own lack of understanding. Here are the lessons I am learning.
When I am frustrated, God sends peace.
Lord, you establish peace for us;
all that we have accomplished you have done for us. Isaiah 26:12
When my vision is clouded, God brings clarity.
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. Ephesians 1:18-19
When my gifts or potential are hidden or inaccessible because of my own excuses, God sheds light on them.
“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. Matthew 5:14-15
I believe God calls us to freefall into His arms over and over again in this process of surrendering. The more we let go, the greater sense of peace we will find. The greater the peace – the bolder our faith. We find the perfect peace in Christ.
[Tweet “Allow yourself to freefall into God’s arms as you surrender yourself to His peace.”]
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Isaiah 26:3
How will you freefall into God’s arms today as you seek His perfect peace? What lessons are you learning while seeking peace?
Blessings of grace along the way!
Linking up with Lisha @Give Me Grace
To catch up on the posts you missed click on the words below.
These are encouraging words, friend. Hopefully we continue to learn to lean on Him and the promises He’s given us in His Word instead of our own understanding, frustration, problem solving techniques.
Or the fear that nothing will change.
This can be a hard task, yes?
Yes it can be a hard task. I lull myself into believing that I have it figured out at times and I immediately learn that this is not the case. I am on a journey to lose the fear and put on brave. Sometimes the journey keeps me standing still instead of moving forward. Overall, God is loving working with me. I am learning new things all the time. SO glad you stopped by.
I love the picture of free-falling into God’s arms, Mary. I always think things have to make sense to me, so it’s hard to just let myself surrender when I still don’t have things figured out. I love how God gave you even a fifth “P” word. 🙂 You have tied them together so wonderfully. Blessings and hugs to you!
Thank you Trudy! I know if we were able to freefall more often we would find God and His perfect peace. I am praying we let ourselves sink into God’s arms and know He is the Great Provider. Thank you for your kid words and for always being here!
This is so beautiful, Mary. I especially like that tweetable quote. Really, what’s the use of praying if we only want one thing and we won’t accept other answers. It’s dictating God and not praying.
Have a wonderful week ahead.
Thank you for your kind words. God surely has the answers, but we are so busy running off to the next thing that we miss what He would love to show us. I hope your week is blessed as well.
I think that “peace” is kind of what I’m posting about today over at MM, Mary. When we surrender our fears and need to control to God we find there is more than we bargained for–God’s perfect peace. Great thoughts as usual, my friend! Loved getting to meet you in person the other day. It makes visiting your space that much sweeter–as if it wasn’t already so very sweet! 😉
You were talking about peace but you didn’t use the word in your post. Ultimately when we let God have His way instead of us choosing our own, we find peace and the answers we were looking for.
It sure was a treat getting to meet you last week. You are the real deal. I loved the things we have in common and most of all the time we had together. Love you friend!
I thought I left a comment last night, but my internet was wacky so I’ll try again. 🙂
“I realized as I was reflecting on the current season of my life that I allow frustration to become a roadblock. ” I do this so often even though I know it doesn’t help a bit. I need to remember to give it all to God and follow His leading asking for strength and grace to do what I need to do. Thanks for this encouraging post, Mary. Blessings to you!
I have a theme going here that shows God is trying hard to teach me but I am a slow learner. The words I right each week are the ones I need to hear the most. God has a way of making sure I hear the lesson. Now I need to make the choice to let go. He will be right there when I freefall. Blessings on your week. Thank you for visiting.
It’s true, society/our culture wants us to believe that we have to have it all figured out. I’m so thankful that God’s word says He has it all figured out and all I have to do is follow after Him! Such an important reminder today, Mary! Our prayers for peace have already been answered in Him. Blessings on your week, my friend!
God has won and that should be enough. I know I make things harder than they need to be but that is part of being an imperfect human. You are right that our prayers have already been answered. Amen. Blessings on your week too!
Mary,
Even with a more clearly outlined purpose by God, I still continually need to seek His peace because it is so easy to get wrapped up in what “I” have to accomplish. I spin and spin when I think I have to do everything in my own power, but then I have to come back to that place of peace where God reminds me that He wants to work through me. It’s a lesson I seem to need to learn over and over again….still seeking His peace.
Blessings,
Bev
God is always faithful and for me it shows up in the lessons that He teaches me over and over. Learning to seek peace from God before I go off thinking I can do it on my own, is one of those lessons. I pray we are able to seek God’s peace in all we do and allow Him to infuse us with all we need along the way. Love having you here, Bev! Blessings!
The path is very blurry for me currently! So this post is very timely. To take in peace, I see grace needs to be inhaled too. Have a peaceful day M!
The inhale of grace is absolutely needed to accompany the peace we seek. It seems we both are looking for the path but are not quite in the right place. God is in the details and the beauty is how He reveals what’s next in His own way. I am praying for you Lynn as you continue to discover the path that God would like you to follow next. Sabbath blessings!
I look forward to these Sunday visits, and the message of peace is important to me as I begin a new job (after 22 years at home with the boys) in June. Phew. Isaiah 26:3 has been my go to verse for peace since I was a high school student. So thankful to read it here today!
A job! How exciting! I pray that the transition from full-time homeschooler to this new job is smooth. I also can’t wait to hear more about the job. Blessings as you journey onward and I pray Isaiah 26:3 keeps you grounded. Blessings!
I thought I was the only one who thinks like this. I think in lists beginning with the same letters often. For example, the wedding blessing prayed over our children, everything began with P-protection, provision, posterity, etc. I also relate to the season you are in, trusting Him, falling into His arms.
It’s interesting Elizabeth but I don’t usually think in lists beginning with the same letters. I just remember vividly about 4 weeks ago when God gave me these four words and said to write. The best part was the added bonus with the word “peace” for today’s post. God has a great way of getting across exactly what I need to know. I am praying as we both explore this season in our lives, we are able to let God lead the way as we freefall into His arms of peace. Blessings!
I love the image of continually free falling into God’s arms….YES! The peace that only God can bring about….the peace that passes all human understanding.
Amen! There is something about a freefall that gives you the freedom to fully let go. It is what I need to do in the act of surrendering all to God. Peace is the blessing that comes from God when we abandon ourselves completely to Him. Sunday blessings friend!