John 14:26-27
26But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. 27Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. Seasons of life bring with them a myriad of challenging emotions from anxiety to depression, from grieving to restlessness, from fear and hopelessness, to weariness and heaviness as we walk through different stages, situations, and circumstances. These various ranges of emotions cause us to become unsettled in our day to day life experience of the world around us, and can disrupt what are daily opportunities to enjoy the abundant life and true peace that Christ has promised us as we walk with Him. However, for so many there is this lack of peace and enjoyment, this unrest or lack of ability to take in the abundant life and all that comes with it. All too often long battles with anxiety, depression, or simply the heaviness of life can cause life to look and feel much different, lacking the peace and stability of knowing and walking closely in step with Jesus. We can draw hope and encouragement from the very words of Jesus as He spoke a very important promise to His disciples which He also extends to us as well, “26But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. 27Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” The world can never provide us with the true peace that God has promised, especially when life begins to look very differently than it has before. His Holy Spirit living with us is the “Spirit of Peace and Comfort” when we need Him, and can fill these deep voids in our lives, thus Jesus says, “Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid,” which is tied to His promises such as He will “never leave us or forsake (turn away from us).” Taking small steps of obedience in prayer inviting the Holy Spirit to be our Comforter and speaking God’s truth into our immediate circumstances will enable that ultimate sense of True Peace to overwhelm us. Never forget that we have the greatest source of peace living within us, whom Jesus Himself sent to us to provide His peace regardless of the season or situation we find ourselves along life’s journey. Connecting Faith & Life: Father, thank You for the promise of Your Holy Spirit as our ultimate source of peace that surpasses all understanding. As Jesus said, it is not a false sense of peace such as the world gives, but a True Peace only found in Your promises and in the overwhelming presence of Your Spirit in our lives. Thank You, that in light of Your peace and Your promises our hearts need not be troubled nor afraid in the midst of trying or troubling circumstances, because we may find rest and refuge in You. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. Comments are closed.
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