Peace like a river ...

Could it be that the place where you are not surrendering control to God, is the place you are not experiencing peace? There can be no peace where there is no surrender... 

 

Isaiah 48: 18 says....."If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river"........

There has been countless times in my life  where I have had to choose surrender . Its one of the hardest things that I am learning..just when you think you've got this thing under wraps... another opportunity comes along which is often harder then the last time. Surrender requires a surrender of your very self. Its as if our very heart strings are attached to the other person or thing. 

Where do you start ? 

How do you do surrender ? 

Pastor John Kohler once asked me, " How do you eat an elephant?"

He replied with the answer.."one bite at a time...."

This piece of advice has held me in good stead for many years.

First things first. 

*Acknowledge that area, person or situation where you are being robbed of peace. That person, place or thing that is taking your thoughts, your time and your heart away from experiencing peace, freedom and joy in your life.

* Lay YOUR expectation or desire to control the person or situation, down...

*Lay down at his feet your desire for things to go a certain way...

At times it feels like strips of skin are being torn off you ..as little by little you surrender that area or that desire of your heart to God. 

*Don't just do it once, continue to do it EVERYTIME, you feel the desire .

Saying ..Lord, you know what my heart wants... but I only want the best from you in my life so I will give that to you . 

If its from God by giving it to him it will surely come to pass.

In Matthew 6verse 33 , the Bible says... " Seek the Kingdom of God above ALL else and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need."...in other words let your first care be for His kingdom and His righteousness: and all these other things will be given to you in addition.

Once we get that Capital T truth fixed firmly in our minds and heart .. the Peace of God follows.. 

Start today.. take that first bite of the elephant.. it will take you a while to learn how to do it,just like all the good things in life that take time to flourish....

One day you will be able to hand everything over to him...you will learn to trust him as you experience His Peace...

Oh ....one more important thing.....

Remember you cant produce Peace.... you cultivate it <3

Pray this prayer and then let his peace flow over you through the words to this beautiful song by Kim Walker...

Lord ..

In the place where I am welcoming stress, anxiety, control, anger or unforgiveness..Lord I come to you and surrender that area of my life to you and ask for exchange YOUR PEACE..that peace that passes All understanding..that peace that brings perfect peace in my mind heart and body..I open my hands to you in surrender Lord, in Jesus name...Amen <3 <3 <3

 

"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God
what you need, and thank him for all he has done".....Philippians 4:6
"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is fixed on you, because he
trusts in you."..Isaiah 26:3

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at All times and in
every situation. 2 Thessalonians 3:16

In the middle of our chaos God promises that as we open our clenched hands to him . and trust him...... he will give us HIS peace.. a peace that passes ALL understanding.
He does it for me and he will do it for you ♥ ♥ ♥