Peace & Joy

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:4-9

It’s the end of the year. Time to push through as the light at the end of the tunnel comes into full view. It’s a great time of year, but it’s a stressful time of year.

There’s the general busyness of it all – finishing things, buying things, going to things, planning things, making things special and family events. For me, it’s looking back at the year and all the goals and good intentions I had at the beginning of the year and feeling the weight of them bear down on me as the end of the year looms. This can easily bubble under the surface and give me a bad day or two.

What’s challenging your peace?

Christmas is a time when people hope for peace and wish peace on each other, but it can feel so far away. There is no easy way to peace. Working so hard or eating so much that you hit a wall and drop into a coma is not peace. There is no short-cut.

Again I have been encouraged to believe, to rejoice, to pray and to think well. Then peace comes like a guard for our hearts, peace that we know and feel but can’t really understand – the peace of God – because He is with us.

This is the time of year to remember and know that Jesus is called Emmanuel – God with us. He came and lived real life as we do, and He offers us eternal connection with Him.

I pray you’ll have a peaceful, connected and joyful Christmas season.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13