Peace Be With You by Ann Elaine Broughton

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7 NIV).

Are you at peace? Do you take time every day just to be calm and be at peace, not thinking about anything? I believe this is so important because otherwise a person can just be busy from morning until night and eventually become so exhausted. We have a tendency to think, worry, and obsess and not consider that the peace of Christ is available to us if we just take time to be still.
My favorite Bible story is when Jesus was in the boat sleeping in the midst of a huge storm. “A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. Then the disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” The wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” (Mark 4:37-41 NIV). Every time I am in a situation where I truly need peace I imagine Jesus standing up in front of me and shouting, “Quiet! Be still!” And I imagine all the stress leaving me just like when the waves got all calm. I let His peace rush over me.
When my mother was dying of cancer, I felt like I was battling a fierce storm within myself. My mother was my best friend and watching her slowly leave me was so very difficult. When I went to visit her I would pray that God would give me strength so that I would not cry and sob in front of her. Every time I went to see her I found peace within me and didn’t cry. Believe me, that wasn’t due to my own strength. It was God’s peace working inside of me.
This peace is available to you too. Just be still, pray, and have faith that He is with you and will give you His peace. Trust me, it will happen.
Dear Lord,
Help me to be still every day to feel your peace in the midst of life’s storms and stresses. Help me to remember that you are the only one who can give me the peace that passes all understanding.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen