Does the peace of God work today?

Tonight, at the moment I write this, is a large decision that needs to be made. And, naturally speaking, the outcomes just aren’t pleasant. So – my mind wanders.

I need a miracle God. I need your favour to get involved and change things! Help!

These are my initial thoughts about the situation. I have made one big assumption though and that is that I know what the outcome should be. It is usually the outcome that involves the least amount of pain. Is this God’s plan? I don’t know – but I do know that God needs to come through for me. It is amazing how in times like this – we think we know the way out, the best solution and right thing to do. Of course we do – we are in the middle of it and we want to be free from the stress and burden of it all.

Maybe, just maybe – what I need right now is not the miracle? Maybe it is not the quick fix, the band aid, the pain disappearing or even the outcome that I think needs to happen? Maybe I just need peace. God’s peace. When I have that – everything else just seems to make sense. When I have the peace of God, I begin to feel that regardless of the outcome – God is still on my side and it will be alright. Somehow, with the peace of God, facing tomorrow is much easier even if it is a nightmare.

But the thing that I can testify of, right here and now – in this moment of decision that I am in – is that the Peace of God works. I should be stressed, losing sleep and panicing. Instead, I am at peace. Calm. Not stressed and definately not worried. And that includes my mind.

Sure, I think I know what should happen. I certainly know what I would like to happen (and that would be a miracle). But peace means that I am not worried about it. Prayer stops being “help” and more “thank you God that you are faithful”. It is a much better place to be.

The other thing that peace does – it makes the voice of God clearer in my spirit. I can hear Him better. What do I hear? Not – “It will happen as you want Matt” (which, is a shame to be honest!). Rather – “Trust Me. I am bigger than this”. That helps me. It might not be the answer that I am looking for. But it is something for me to believe and live by.

Peace – when it is all going on around you. The pain. The stress. The uncertainty. Rather than tell God what the outcome should be, rather than cry help – first ask for peace. Get the peace of God that transcends all understanding so it can guard your heart and you mind in these times.

When you have peace, then you will have your answer from God. It works. Or at least, it is working for me, right now – at this moment in time.