There is a very real
danger of losing our minds, our sanity, our emotional stability when we are not
grounded firmly in Christ. Satan will stop at NOTHING to gain our sanity,
stripping it from us in any way he possibly can. The closer a person is to Christ
the more Satan will fight for them, he will stop at very little to try and win them from salvation. The
onslaughts will come when we don't expect them. We can think our faith is
strong only to have it rocked off its foundation, ripped from its sure hold and
tossed about in the wildest of storms. By the grace and mercy of God may we
never LOSE complete faith, may the tiniest of tethers remain in Christ always,
because the tiniest tether in Christ is stronger than any storm of the Devil's.
Emotional turmoil.
Anger,
disappointment, sadness, heartache, confusion, fear all these emotions and more
created a torrent of anxiety within us that is far from quiet, far from restful
and therefore by definition- far from peaceful.
We say we can't help
but have these emotions as circumstances dictate in our lives. We've grown used
to experiencing these kinds of responses to the stimulus that warrants the
behavior. We tell others instantly that it is normal to feel the way they are feeling,
and we are speaking the truth because in our lives we've allowed ourselves to
make these things normal, things that wouldn't be considered normal at another
time, another era. We've called it advancement, emotional advancement now that
we can express our feelings so openly. Before when they were repressed it led
to all sorts of angst, at least that's what we've told ourselves.
You know, just
because enough people in supposed positions of authority have declared
something to be truth does NOT make it truth. Yet people want to agree with the
authorities on a subject when it gives them any insight into their lives. Am I
advocating hiding emotions? Maybe I am, because when I say we should take our
'cares' to God and then by HIS grace and power, leave those cares with HIM, I
am saying we truly do not have to blanket our friends and family with our
anguish as if we do not have a God who is in control and wants all things to
work together for our good. I am NOT saying hide it from friends and family IF
you are needing to share it with them to get their prayer support, never hide
it to your own harm. I think what I'm trying to comprehend for myself and maybe
any others should they possibly need it, is that for us to have spirit peace,
that very special peace that passes understanding that comes from God, we need
to seek spirit peace. We need to ACTIVELY seek out spirit peace as life
constantly throws us one trying time after another.
Do you remember this
song--
When
peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When
sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever
my lot, thou hast taught me to say
It
is well, it is well, with my soul
It
is well
With
my soul
It
is well, it is well with my soul
Though
Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let
this blest assurance control,
That
Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And
hath shed His own blood for my soul
It
is well (it is well)
With
my soul (with my soul)
It
is well, it is well with my soul
My
sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought
My
sin, not in part but the whole,
Is
nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise
the Lord, praise the Lord, o my soul
It
is well (it is well)
With
my soul (with my soul)
It
is well, it is well with my soul
It
is well (it is well)
With
my soul (with my soul)
It
is well, it is well with my soul
Written
by Horatio Spafford
Do you know the story behind the song- I may have written of this before but it warrants doing so again- Wikipedia-
This hymn was
written after traumatic events in Spafford's life. The first was the death of
his son at the age of 2 and the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, which
ruined him financially (he had been a successful lawyer and had
invested significantly in property in the area of Chicago that was extensively
damaged by the great fire). His business interests were further hit by the
economic downturn of 1873, at which time he had planned to travel to Europe
with his family on the SS Ville du Havre.
In a late change of plan, he sent the family ahead while he was delayed on
business concerning zoning problems following the Great Chicago Fire. While
crossing the Atlantic, the ship sank rapidly after a collision with a sea
vessel, the Loch Earn, and all four
of Spafford's daughters died. His wife Anna survived and sent him the now
famous telegram, "Saved alone …". Shortly afterwards, as Spafford
traveled to meet his grieving wife, he was inspired to write these words as his
ship passed near where his daughters had died.[3]
Just imagine the
great losses this man endured and yet he still held fast to his Savior, Jesus
Christ. The hope he had brought him SPIRIT PEACE. The peace that can only come
from God.
Quietness, restful,
set at one again- a Bible dictionary definition of peace.
Joh_14:27
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give
I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Php 4:6 Be
careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Php 4:7 And
the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and
minds through Christ Jesus.
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