Peace

I’ve written here a number of times that we are in a battle.  I’ve mentioned some aspects of that lately, but this battle is only growing in strength.  Some really super-amazing, only-from-God things are happening as a result.  N and I are reading a book that had this interesting statement:

Every physical problem or struggle you encounter has a root cause in the spiritual realm.

Take a few moments to read that a few times. 

The issues we’re facing are life changers:  divorce, financial hardships, job-related unknowns.  These are things that can break people, break families. 

As we seek God in this, one thing keeps coming to me:  how do I know what is true? 

If I have a big decision to make, how do I know it’s God’s urging?  If I have to confront someone in love about something, how do I know it’s God telling me to do that?

Here’s what I’m learning, the plan of attack by Satan is to get the individual, then their family, then their church and then society.  I’ve seen this happen in our own family.  I’m watching it happen in our family.

How is it that I can know something is from God or from Satan?  I need to benchmark everything against God’s truth or the Bible.  How does what I’m seeing, feeling, thinking, etc stand up against the truth of the Bible? 

When I do that, my eyes are open BIG time to God.  What I’ve learned is that Jesus is the Prince of Peace.  Peace!  How many times have been faced with a big decision and don’t have any comfort or peace about it?  Many times infinity, that’s how many times!

John 14:27 – “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Do you know what I learned through this verse?  The world, or the ruler of the world (Satan) likes for you to be troubled and afraid.  He wants you to be confused and upset. 

I was asked two questions on Sunday:

What are you afraid of?

What made you believe you should be afraid of that?

If you are afraid, at your wits end, freaking out, stressing out, confused, and/or troubled by something, it isn’t of God.  It is of this world. 

I’m learning, with each breath, I’d totally rather have Peace above anything else.