Are you able to feel at peace even when life bombards you with hardship? If not, how can you achieve peace when life gets tough?
In January, Tammy Brackett, a music publicist/writer, experienced the financial pain that many Americans are going through now. "My income was reduced by 2/3 because of a job layoff," says Tammy. Yet, she was able to feel at peace.
When Donna Ratner, a certified holistic health counselor, was 14, her 22-year-old brother died suddenly in a swimming pool accident. When she was 23, living in New York City, she got held up at gunpoint. Donna recalls, "He followed me up to my apartment, stole my most precious belongings, made me strip naked and lie facedown in the hallway outside my apartment." Still, Donna was able to remain peaceful in both situations.
Last summer, when music teacher Janita Pavelka was at home, she received a call, telling her that her 10-year-old daughter Hannah was knocked unconscious by a friend's horse. Fortunately, Hanna is doing well, after receiving 18 stitches in her head. What helped the family through this difficult time? Peace.
Yes, Tammy, Donna, and Janita all were able to remain at peace amid dark times, but it was not just any peace--it was the peace in Jehovah God. Only the peace in God can help anyone get through any stormy nights to the light on the other side.
Author Lynn Baber, who, with her husband, was able to remain at peace as her in-laws passed away. She explains, "We knew God was at work. The process of life and death is His to direct. As in all things, when we consciously work from the position that God is on His Throne, and nothing happens with either His express or permissive will, anything we face becomes manageable. We are never alone."
We can feel at peace anytime because Jehovah is in charge! The peace in God is, therefore, not unlike any peace anyone else or anything could ever offer us. God always desires to bring peace, for "God is not a God of confusion, but of peace." (I Corinthians 14:33, WEB)
But how can we possess the peace in God? We will experience peace in God only when we are justified with Him.
Jesus, the greatest Ambassador of God since he is God's own Son, was sent to Earth two thousand years ago in order to achieve justification for us. Justification is a right standing with God. When we are justified, we will have God as a Friend, and our friendship will bring peace into our lives. It is like any human friendships we have; when we are friends with someone, we will feel at peace when we are around that person. Likewise, when we are friends with God, we will feel at peace in His presence. But to be God's friends and have His peace, we must put our faith in Jesus by loving God and His Son Jesus and by loving one another. Then we will be justified and experience God's peace: "Therefore being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 5:1, KJV)
Before Jesus finished his earthly ministry, he left all of us that special peace in God: "Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, give I to you. Don't let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful." (John 14:27, WEB)
And that peace of God, "which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:17, WEB)
When we have God's peace, it should rule in our hearts: "Let the peace of God rule in your hearts..." (Colossians 3:15, WEB)
To remain in God's peace, we should constantly live in harmony with one another: "Be of the same mind, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you." (II Corinthians 13:11, WEB) "Follow peace with all men..." (Hebrews 12:14, KJV)
Do you want to experience invincible peace, peace that will conquer all darkness, peace that will allow you to live in peace even when the physical world is turned upside down? Then embrace Jehovah and Jesus, and this Father-Son team will give you all the peace you want and need for all eternity!
Pastor and founder of The Spirit of Truth Ministries, David Voyles has well experienced God's peace in his life, thereby he says, "God has plans for every one of us. A person has to trust in the good nature of God and His plans are always better than ours. We knock on doors in faith; believing this, and the right door will open on His perfect timing."
Now is the perfect time for you to feel the peace of God in your life!
Shirley Cheng (b. 1983), a blind and physically disabled award-winning author (with 23 book awards, including nine Parent to Parent Adding Wisdom Awards), motivational speaker, self-empowerment expert, poet, author of nine books (including "Do You Love Jehovah? God Almighty's Infinite Love & Wisdom to Propel You to Greatness"), contributor to 22, and a parental rights advocate, has had severe juvenile rheumatoid arthritis since infancy. Owing to years of hospitalization, she received no education until age eleven. Back then, she knew only her ABCs and very simple English; other than that, her book knowledge was non-existent. However, after only about 180 days of special education in elementary school, she mastered grade level in all areas and entered a regular sixth grade class in middle school. Unfortunately, Shirley lost her eyesight at the age of seventeen. After a successful eye surgery, she hopes to earn multiple science doctorates from Harvard University. Visit http://www.shirleycheng.com for more inspiration.
Do you have questions about the Bible? Something you don't understand? Do you need a bit of guidance in developing a relationship with Jehovah? Then Shirley would like to help you! Please contact her via her site at http://www.shirleycheng.com and she would be more than glad to do her best to answer your questions! Never hesitate to ask questions, for no question about the Bible is ever too small or stupid.