Intro: Today, John and I are staying with our daughter, Whitney, and granddaughter, Amana, since we had to evacuate for hurricane Ian. Occasionally, we have accessed the hurricane tracker for an update, but have spent very little time watching and listening because it stirs up stressful emotions. Over the years, I have looked for natural and doable ways to reduce stress—I have no desire to allow stress to dominate my life. Evil came to rob, steal, and destroy the children of God, but Jesus came to give us abundant life in the peace of God (John 10:10). Therefore, when I am feeling stressed, I try to take a nice walk, go for a bike ride, listen to music, and laugh with family or friends. Well, no walk or bike ride today, but I can still find humor as I listen to Amana’s white noise machine; it’s actually quite peaceful. lol!
The Word of God is the peace of Christ which manifests in our hearts, so when we are stressed, we should spend time in the Word. God knows what frightens, frustrates, and stresses us. So, it is wise to trust the Lord in all things—even this stress-inducing storm. Trust is about submitting to the Lord; we give up our stress by getting our focus off from our finite situations and onto the wisdom of God. “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think” (Eph 3:20). Trust is also about delighting—aligning—and reconciling with how God desires to be known and love him wholeheartedly in that place. So, may we commit not only what we do but the way we look at life knowing the Lord is always there to help those who place their trust in him. Peace is from the Lord and we need Peace right now!
Psalm 37 A psalm of David
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Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.
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Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.
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Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.
Prayer: Lord, as Your children we must grow in our trust during the most difficult places in this fleeting life. Today, my heart is burdened for those who have found and still may find themselves in the path of Ian. I pray for Your supernatural peace to overshadow every stressed or frightened heart in Jesus’ name. Amen.