Peace for Unsettled Hearts
The first week of Advent focuses on Hope. The hope Jesus Christ brings in and through his miraculous birth. To go back and catch week one, search under the holiday season blog category, or click here.
The prophet Isaiah spoke of the coming Messiah and the impact he would one day have on not only us but our world.
Isaiah 9:6 NIV
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Jesus as Prince of Peace is still available for you and me today.
We see in Isaiah 26:3 the importance of remaining focused on the Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 26:3 NIV
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
I know there has been a lot going on in our world. Not only that, but many of us have faced troubling seasons in our closest circles. Some of you have been up against deadlines you didn’t know how you would meet or received news you didn’t want or know how you make sense of it.
It’s hard to stay focused on the positive when our hearts are unsettled, isn’t it? The unexpected and painful seasons steal our joy and our peace. The National Alliance on Mental Illness reports that over 40 million adults in the US alone struggle with anxiety. That number is mind-blowing and a staggering reminder that we live in a broken world.
When we lose sight of our peace, everything becomes distorted. We cannot clearly make decisions, process information, or cope with unexpected information. When we don’t have peace, we don’t have hope.
The word “peace” means shalom in the Hebrew language. This translates to also mean a sense of completeness and wholeness. Makes sense when we think about times when our peace was tested. We felt out of control and overwhelmed, didn’t we?
Jesus didn’t come into the world to completely rid us of everything that could possibly drain our happiness. He came to offer us hope, peace, joy, and love. A promise that is written in eternal life forever with Him. When all will be made right, with no more pain or heartbreak. Shalom forever.
I pray that you will be reminded this Christmas, that shalom is Jesus’ gift to you. It may not wipe away the pain, but it will encourage your heart as you stay focused on the plan God has for your life. Choose peace this season. Be reminded the gift is as new and fresh as when Jesus arrived in the manger two thousand years ago. He thought of you then, and He thinks of you now.
John 14:15-27 NIV
“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”
Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?”
Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.
“All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 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.
