In Christ I am calm.

“Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.” Mark 4:39 (NKJV)

Yesterday around lunchtime my daughter’s cat ran away. I was cleaning the garage, where he usually is, and placed him on the deck (1 storey high). Unfortunately, when I went to put him back I discovered that he had disappeared so we assume he jumped down and ran away. I am so upset and annoyed with myself. I feel so bad. My daughter is of course upset.

I’ve been trying so hard to not be anxious or worried, but rather pray (as advised in Philippians 4:6).

But it’s currently 3:30 am and my heart is racing with anxiety, my thoughts are out of control.

I hear the gentle but powerful whisper: “Peace, be still!” 

And I try to calm myself before God, I try to feel His blessed assurance flowing to and through me. 

I pray:

Lord God I ask for Your peace to reassure my heart. I ask for Your peace which transcends all understanding to flood my mind. I ask for Your peace which stands guard over my heart and mind. I ask for Your peace which is mine in Christ Jesus.¹ 

Jesus, I ask You to come and calm the storm within me.

I fix my eyes on You as a I declare over and over again: peace, be still!

I tell my heart to be still.

I urge my mind to be still.

I remind my soul to be still.

I stir up my spirit, encourage it to rise up and take hold of Jesus’ calm. 

I reach my hands out to the Prince of peace² and I ask Him to guide me through the storms of life.

I ask Jesus to guide and direct me because I don’t want this storm, or any to come, to blow me off-course. Peace, be still!

May the storm cease in Jesus’ name. Amen.

UPDATE:
Praise the Lord! Just now (10:30am) Sparta (my daughter’s cat) was located hiding under our back deck. He’s home safe n sound! Yay!!!

Notes:

1. Inspired by Philippians 4:7 (AMP)

2. See Isaiah 9:6.

Here is a YouTube playlist of some of my fav songs relating to peace.

Come My Beloved

As I looked at this picture I heard God whisper:

‘Come out of your hiding place

Come sit by My still water of life

Come out of the shadows

Come My beloved

Come bask in the warmth of My light

Come out from the heavy blanket of grief

Come feel My love embrace you with joy

Come My beloved

Come and allow Me to heal your wounds

Come and see Me transform you anew

Come, please come My beloved!

Come My beloved

Come lay down that burden and allow Me to carry the load

Come sit with Me and just chat for awhile

Come and sleep in the sun

Come My beloved

Come and be refreshed

Come, it’s safe now to leave your place of refuge

Come step out into the open unafraid, for I’m right here by your side –

this is where I’ve always been and where I’ll forever be

Come My beloved

Beloved, search for the name I have for you
Chosen one, know the love I store in My heart only for you
Child, receive the great inheritance I bestow upon you
Special one, embrace all that I call you to

Come My beloved for I’m waiting for you!

Beautiful creation, once you’ve sat with Me for awhile

you will go forth unafraid, fully knowing that I am with you

so come, please come My beloved!’

Picture cred

My Soul Pants for the Lord – YouTube clip

A Refreshing Waterfall – YouTube clip

Carry Me -Rita Springer – YouTube clip 

Peace Slipped From My Mind

Last week as I prepared for a trip to see family, I found myself increasingly harried – my to do list seemed to be growing instead of shortening, despite my best efforts to get it all done!

As I kept trying to do more I felt anxiety arise that I’d never get it all done as well as tiredness set in. I kept telling myself ‘I’ll just do this and then I’ll sit down’, but then I’d remember something else that needed doing and I’d quickly do that. There was a vicious cycle happening: doing > anxiety about the more yet to do > a need to rest > an urgency to keep doing.

It all became too much and I knew that if I had to drive soon I simply had to rest. I laid down in bed and the thoughts kept racing. I took a few deep breaths to steady my heart down and fell into a deep sleep.

I awoke feeling much better and managed to drive safely.

I look back on that day with much embarrassment at how easily I got flustered, at how readily I got anxious and snappy.

The verse that I had been declaring over my mind had been forgotten:

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (New Living Translation)

One of my favorite songs had slipped from my mind for a little while

God I look to You, I won’t be overwhelmed

Give me vision to see things like You do

God I look to You, You’re where my help comes from

Give me wisdom; You know just what to do

“God I Look To You” Bethel Music

Thankfully I knew that I had to listen to the promptings to rest, I simply had to admit ‘defeat’ from my to do list and rest. It’s still so hard for me to not be able to accomplish all that I long to do, it is still so hard to see how much restoration that needs to take place.

I am so grateful that as I struggled with my feelings I was reminded of this quote:

“Healing won’t take place overnight. Instead it’s an exquisite process where God peels away layer by layer. But as you heal, something profound begins to take place.” Suzie Eller

I am so grateful that I’ve got grace in my life. That my husband came home and didn’t judge me for being so harried but instead lovingly helped pack the car. I’m so encouraged that God knows me and in His amazing grace loves me still:

Psalm 139:1-6 The Passion Translation
“Lord, you know everything there is to know about me.
You’ve examined my innermost being with your loving gaze. You perceive every movement of my heart and soul,
and understand my every thought before it even enters my mind. You are so intimately aware of me, Lord, you read my heart like an open book
and you know all the words I’m about to speak
before I even start a sentence!
You know every step I will take, before my journey even begins!
You’ve gone into my future to prepare the way,
and in kindness you follow behind me
to spare me from the harm of my past.
With your hand of love upon my life,
you impart a Father’s blessing to me.
This is just too wonderful, deep, and incomprehensible!
Your understanding of me brings me wonder and strength.”

Many Blessings

‘God I Look To You’ – Bethel & Francesca Battistelli – YouTube lyric clip

‘Extravagant’ – Bethel Music – YouTube lyric clip

‘Wonderful Peace’ – Don Moen – YouTube lyric clip

‘Let The Peace Of God Reign’ – Hillsong & Darlene Zschech – YouTube lyric clip

 

My Rollercoaster Week

I’m not really sure what to share and it all feels a bit disjointed but here is my heart for you this week……….. snippets of yet another roller coaster week….

Tuesday last week this was part of my day:

I had a 20 min screaming session as I drove from town….I was so fed up with the constant unending challenges…. I came home and had a prayer session that got LOUD….

Utterly exhausted I went to the beach to try and get some clarity and calm. As I sat there I was challenged to still my racing thoughts (and heart) and worship….

“Worship is an acknowledgement of God’s worth. Whether we are in the biggest loss of our life or the biggest victory, our response remains the same because His worth never changes.” Bill Johnson

I listened to worship music and wrote:

I sit by the water
I drink of You
I absorb Your life-giving water into my entire being
I rest in Your presence
I soak You in
I ignite Your freedom into my heart
I sing of Your love
I sing of Your grace
I sing of Your majesty
I sing of Your glory
Shine Your love on me
Send Your cleansing grace
Clothe me in Your majesty
Let me shine Your glory Lord

Sunday morning I was awake early and after a bit of a wrestle I finally made my way upstairs, reminding myself about being obedient. As I pushed myself up the stairs I thought how cool it would be to hear a kookaburra. As my foot hit the top stair I heard a familiar sound – the kookaburra singing loudly. I raced outside to try and capture it. As I stood on my deck hearing him laugh away I was reminded that in the midst of my storm I can laugh because if I have my eyes fixed on Jesus I’m assured victory!
1 Corinthians 15:57  “…thanks be to God, who gives us the victory [as conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Amplified

I am promised to be able to laugh at my future (Proverbs 31) because I’m clothed in strength and dignity and God has a good and perfect plan for my life:
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”  New Living Translation

Then Tuesday this week was my teary day….right from the moment I awoke I felt fragile…..as I started to think about stuff I felt as if I was suffocating… I went into the study, played music and wrote:

Lord Please Revive Me
Lord my heart is heavy
Please lift it
My eyes leak with grief
Please catch each one
My worries race towards me like a thousand strong army
Lord please do not leave me to be consumed by them!
Lord this load is too heavy to carry
Please take it
I empty myself
Please come fill me
Lord I need Your words of truth and life to revive me

As I return to the kitchen my daily devotion verse is: “For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory.” Psalms 32:7 NLT

I grabbed my phone to look up the verse and continued to read: “……..unfailing love surrounds those who trust the Lord. So rejoice in the Lord and be glad, all you who obey him! Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!” Psalms 32:10b-11 NLT

The day was filled with constant moments of me fighting back tears, allowing them to leak or sobbing huge body racking tears!

After tea we watch a movie on Netflix called “Born To Win” based on the true heartbreaking story of Leon Terblanche who asked over and over again “Where is God?”.

As I watch it I feel as if a balm was being placed over my hurting, doubting, fainting, weak and tired heart. In a place of despair a friend of Leon’s comes up to him and recites Isaiah 40: “Look up into the heavens. Who created all the stars? He brings them out like an army, one after another, calling each by its name. Because of his great power and incomparable strength, not a single one is missing. O Jacob, how can you say the Lord does not see your troubles? O Israel, how can you say God ignores your rights? Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:26-31 NLT

I cry out afresh to God to answer my pleas for mercy and bring the promised breakthrough!

I hang on for dear life to the One who is faithful to bring shalom to my chaos!!!

Wednesday (yesterday) I’m encouraged to read this verse: “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” Galatians 6:9 NLT

Lord let me feel Your amazing grace surrounding me – the empowerment to overcome!!

Lord I ask that joy would spring forth in my heart so that I can be a person of peace in the midst of this chaos!

Many blessings!

WARNING!!!! Grab the tissues for this one: Hillsong United – Desert Song (the behind story) YouTube Clip

‘Mountain’ – Bryan & Katie Torwalt – Lyric YouTube clip

Worship In My Chaos inc ‘Enter The Gates’

God’s Peace In Chaos

Last week a dear friend spoke about the word Shalom and she described the word as bringing order to chaos. I loved that! I’ve done a little bit of study and here’s what I’ve found:

Some translations of Shalom according to Strong’s concordance: completeness, soundness, welfare, perfect peace, prosperity, safety, secure…

I haven’t read the full article but what I’ve quickly read seemed really good. Here is an extract and the link:

“Shalom speaks of personal peace, not merely referring to the absence of trouble or conflict, but positively of completeness, wholeness, contentment, welfare, health, prosperity, harmony, and fulfillment. Peace is one of the blessings that flow from a right relationship to God. Shalom is a term that includes all that makes life worthwhile.”

Peace-Shalom (Hebrew Word Study) full article

 

I went on search for peace beyond comprehension. I desperately need God’s order in the midst of my chaos!

• I’ve researched the word Shalom
• I have played worship songs almost non-stop
• I’ve woken early to worship and watch the sunrise
• I have prayed silently
• I’ve prayed quietly
• I have prayed LOUDLY with much force
• I’ve searched the scriptures for comfort

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4: 6-7 New Living Translation (NLT)

I believe that God is in the midst of the chaos all around me!

On Tuesday, as I drove up the hill from my home, I looked up at the clouds and I saw a very unusual pattern. The cloud had formed a handle type formation. I drove as quickly (and safely of course) to the top of the hill to take a photo. But by the time I arrived the cloud was starting to disappear and all that was left was a hook formation.

But then I was reminded that another dear friend had encouraged me, September last year, to be a hook between heaven and earth. This cloud formation spurred me on to be just that!

What is this ‘hook’ idea? Here’s some info for you:

The letter Vav is the sixth letter of the Aleph-Bet, and has the numeric value of six. The pictograph for Vav looks like a tent peg.  The placement of Vav in the Torah – Genesis 1:1 – implies a connection between spiritual matters and earthly matters. Since Vav represents the number six it is associated with man because we were created on the 6th day.

From all that I believe that we are to be the hook between heaven and earth. That our prayers can connect the Spirit with Earth.

I hope that this encourages you to lift your eyes to Heaven and press into God with confidence.

I pray that today you will feel God’s peace surround you. I ask Jesus to dress you in his thoughts of love and peace. I ask the Holy Spirit to surround you with comfort.

Many blessings

Shalom

Celebration of the morning YouTube clip

Keri Weems blog titled “Bringing Order to Chaos: Shalom”

Bible Hub link in regards to Shalom

Link for more about Vav

Shout to the Lord (Revealing Jesus Project) – Darlene Zschech – YouTube Clip

It Is Good · Jonathan David & Melissa Helser – YouTube Clip

I Have Risen (with mini testimony) – Jonathan David Helser – YouTube Clip