The Presence of Peace

 

"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace.  In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world."  John 16:33

Trials come.  Waves of tribulation wash over us and take us under, causing us to flounder from the impact.  The hard we didn't see coming, blind-sides us and we wonder what is up or down and where in the world am I?

It's not a matter of if, it's only a matter of when this happens.

So while I understand the dynamics of hard, trials and tribulations, because I have my own to walk through; this verse tells you and me a truth that helps us navigate the storms.

IN HIM, we find our way.  WE ARE NOT VICTIMS!!  WE ARE OVERCOMERS BECAUSE OF JESUS!

Jesus tells us to take courage, (indication it's hard, so really we shouldn't be surprised...) because He has overcome the world.  And IN HIM we may have peace.

That 'may' is critical, because it's available to us but we must access it.  We need to choose Jesus in the storm and tribulation.  We need to go on a treasure hunt and find the truths of Jesus because it's only in Him that we will find the Presence of Peace.  He is Peace and it's through Him that we find peace, but it's our choice to go to Him.

Sometimes Jesus calms the storm and other times He calms me within the storm. -jel

The process of finding Jesus in the storm is not a box to check off, it's not even a straight line. It's more like a treasure hunt, lifting up stones, searching under this and that; persevering, asking for 'eyes' to see beyond and to be open to the possibilities of what can now be.

Today, in whatever place you find yourself, maybe in the thick of a storm and all is shrouded in the spray of impact, or maybe you're seeing shore, maybe even, you've weathered the storm and have found shore; wherever you are I pray you know the Prince of Peace.  I invite you to cry out to the One who tells us that it is in Him that we have peace.  I invite you to turn to the One who told us to take courage in our tribulation because He has overcome.  He is the Victor and when we are in Him, we too, can become victors.  The victory is ours because He has overcome and in Him is our joy!

May you find Him, see Him, and know Him in deeper ways, today.