A Sense of Peace

 

It was just 9 years and 2 months ago when I received the diagnosis of breast cancer. I don’t think that anything can prepare you for that kind of news. It’s a real punch in the gut and you can’t help but lose a sense of peace.

Is your faith standing trial?

It takes a lot of faith to trust God’s will for your life, much like Job, who lost absolutely everything in his life, even his wife and children. It’s hard to imagine that when most of us would feel like life wasn’t worth living anymore, Job remained strong in his faith. But, like most human beings, Job did reach a point of questioning and blaming God.

I had decided early on in my treatment that no matter what happened, I wanted the level of Christian maturity & grace to be able to plant my feet firmly in God’s promises. Oh! He has many promises, indeed!

Our faith will always be tested throughout our life time. The question is, will we still praise God in our “wilderness” just as much as when we are on the mountain top? 

 

Faith under fire

When faced with a diagnosis, it is normal to think about our own death and this is when Romans 8 spoke clearly to me. God has promised that nothing can separate us from His love.  This is when I began to experience a sense of peace. 

 

[Rom 8:38-39 NLT]

38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow--not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love.

39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below--indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

[Jhn 16:33 NLT]

33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world."

 

 What steals your sense of peace?

 

The Bible tells us of many other ways we can lose peace in our lives. Think about those times of stubbornness, foolishness and unforgiveness. How many times can you get your peace back by just saying “I’m sorry”?

Even our past can keep us chained and we can lose peace if we hang on to those things that weigh us down. It steals our joy and peace; just like worrying about tomorrow robs our joy of today.

Our attitudes, emotions and relationships with one another greatly affects our sense of peace. Romans 12 is a guide in learning God’s will for our lives and how to live in peace with one another.

 

Pray for a peace that will settle your troubled heart 

In God’s presence, there is a security and tranquility that removes all burdens. 

[Phl 4:6-7 NLT]

6 Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

7 Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Peace that Passes ALL understanding 

As my faith matured, even the fear of dying released its grip.  A supernatural and divine peace that can only be found in Jesus Christ washed over me.  Heaven is my home! 

[1Co 15:55 ESV]

55 "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?"

 

It was during this journey that I would tell others, "You have to walk thru it to get to the other side".  This just means either you will get through the situation or you will come to your final destination. With God’s Holy peace, you will be able to press on in any storm and endure until the end.

[Jhn 14:27 NIV]

27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Peace be with you, my friend ~

The Speed of Grace

 

As I turn the calendar to the year 2021, it occurs to me that I am approaching the 10^th year I began my battle with cancer.  I remember thinking, “I want to walk thru this situation with as much grace as I’ve seen other woman do.”  

It was important to keep HOPE alive and to give GLORY to God with each step of my journey.

2 Corinthians 12:9

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

  

Perhaps I sugar-coated it too much and left out some raw emotions.  It’s hard to find balance when sharing personal life stories on the net.  And then the year 2020 came and played a major part in all of our lives.  I wanted to stand on the mountain top and declare all the injustices that were happening in my life. Loss of parents, loss of a job, loss of friendships, the (near) loss of my marriage and loss of memory.  

Confusing and unreal stressful situations became my every day battle ground.  It was during this time that I held fast to what I knew to be true . . . I had to readjust my attitude and protect my heart from bitterness to take root. 

I again asked God to give me the grace 

[to forgive and ask for forgiveness] to walk thru the valley. 

 

I watched as God’s hands worked as the Master potter against the hardness of this old clay pot. The fire continues to refine and polish my soul as I mature in faith.   I have learned that feelings [emotions] are not truth.  Emotions are fickle and they change without any notice at all.  

Mature and learn the fruit of self-control by learning the Word of God.

Remember - Celebrate your progress and thank God for it!

 

Ephesians 4
Unity and Maturity in the Body of Christ
⁴ As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. ² Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. ³ Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. ⁴ There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; ⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism; ⁶ one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. READ MORE....

¹⁴ Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. ¹⁵ Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. ¹⁶ From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

 

The speed of God’s grace, 

in His patience with each one of us, 

begs attention in everything He does for us. 

 

How much time do we really have on this earth?  How long will it take for you to come to the Saving Grace that is in Our Lord Jesus Christ?

 

2 Peter 3:9

⁹ The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

 

Blessings to you my friend ~