|
Why is it that we can be so full of peace and joy one moment, but when one tiny things happens, our peace flies out the window?
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about Eph. 6:15: “For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.” (NLT). The total meaning of this particular piece of the armour of God has always eluded me. Recently, however, God has been placing on my heart the idea that though there are many important components to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, peace is the one being outlined here. Peace isn’t something we develop or earn; it is a gift that we received when we lay down our lives at Calvary’s Cross and allow Jesus’ cleansing blood to wash away our sins ("I am leaving you with a gift--peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid." John 14:27 NLT). The reason we don’t always feel that peace is that we don’t receive it. Or, in the words of Paul, we don’t put it on! But that peace isn’t just a “feel good” kind of thing. It is actually mentioned as part of God’s Armour, the part that makes us ready to stand firm, prepared, should something come along! Could it be that we so often fail in our fight against the devil because we don’t take the precaution of putting on our peace?
I woke up in total peace yesterday morning. I had donned God’s peace the day before about an upcoming needle biopsy of my thyroid, and that peace was still with me in the morning. I knew God was going to take care of everything in my day and my future, there was nothing to fear. The outcome of the needle biopsy was completely in His hands. God had this. He had it all!
Because I felt such peace about the upcoming medical procedure, however, I didn’t even think of needing to don the shoes of peace for the day…
About an hour later, a call came through. Someone was interested in buying our old trailer. I was flying high. I was sure this was God’s gift to me and excitement that can only come from the anticipation of a miracle burned through my veins. The person didn’t buy the trailer, however. Instead, he pointed out several potential problems with the trailer that I didn’t know were there…
Guess what?
Where I had been flying high all morning, I was now dragging the ground, completely overwhelmed with insecurity, fear, depression…to name a few of the assaulting demons! Of course, none of this was clear to me in the moment; rather, the only thing I knew was that I was stuck with a worthless trailer that no one would want to buy, and besides that, I had to have a needle biopsy because they were concerned about thyroid cancer…And all the other problems just piled up on top of all that!
It took me a while to figure out how I could have been so high in the morning and so low in the afternoon, but eventually I cried out to God to help me. Of course He came to my rescue. He always does: “This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him And saved him out of all his troubles.” (Ps. 34:6 ESV)! He began to help me see that because I awoke in such a happy mood, I had neglected to purposefully don the gospel of peace on my feet. I had been relying on my emotions, I had forgotten that I live in the middle of a battlefield and that I must go into each day fully clothed!
Of course, by this time, God’s peace seemed like an elusive wisp of nothingness, and it took some serious “God-time” for me to find it again. You can be certain that this morning, I made an effort put it, along with the rest of God’s armour, on! Amazing how calm and full of hope I feel!
Does God get upset at us when we don’t use His gifts, when we fall again and again into the same traps?
Not at all. I’m sure He would prefer that we not fall, but He is always there with His hand reaching out to help us, to pull us out of our problems, to wipe away our tears, and even to tell us He loves us and is proud of us for seeking help! But God took it a step farther yesterday. He gave me a promise that He would sell that trailer in a miraculous way. My only job was to accept the first offer that came in! As I write this, I am anticipating that offer, and my heart is full of total peace! Funny how the insecurity, the fear and the depression are just… gone!
It doesn’t matter in what state you wake up in the morning: Don’t forget to dress yourself in God’s armour… Especially paying attention to putting on the shoes of the gospel of peace! For when you do, you will be ready for the devil’s attacks of the day!
In His love,
Lyn
Lynona Gordon Chaffart, Speech-Language Pathologist, mother of two adult boys, Author -- "Aboard God's Train -- A Journey With God Through the Valley of Cancer", Author and Moderator for The Nugget, a tri-weekly internet newsletter, Scriptural Nuggets, a website devoted to Christian devotionals and inspirational poems, The Illustrator, a four-times-a-week internet newsletter, and the Sermon Illustrator website, all with Answers2Prayer Ministries.
**P.S. God did sell our trailer, and for a reasonable price and minimal stress. The thyroid biopsy didn't show cancer, and though I would eventually have to have a hemithyroidectomy because of the benign cyst, He took care of all of the details, including my peace of mind. God's peace. It's worth pursuing!
|
