Episode 396

TODAY’S READING:

For to us, a child is born, to us, a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

 

Peace. A sense of internal stillness gives us hope knowing that worry is not welcoming. Peace is a gift from God that, in the middle of a storm, we have had a father that commands the waves.

 

This weekend was probably one of the hardest weekends for me.

 

On Saturday morning, I woke up to a call from my grandfather asking me to call the cops because my father had just gotten home from a long night, and he was in another world. If you are new here, my father deals with addiction.

 

The police came, and I was given resources. Today I am going to be visiting the courthouse and am starting the government-mandated rehabilitation treatments available in my county.

 

This isn’t going to be easy because there is a real enemy that reminds me that this isn’t going to work and that this year makes ten years of this cycle, and the cycle will never end. But today, I chose to hold onto Peace. My father in heaven, your father in heaven, is much bigger. He is not phased. He is not shaken. He saw this, and He sees me. He sees my sisters; He is here with me.

 

Rather than look to the world and the darkness that is consuming, I look to the one that promises Peace. John 14:27 says, “Peace 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.”

 

We are getting ready to celebrate the birth of Christ. This is a beautiful season, and we must never let the outside world ruin the faith that we have. We must never let it steal our joy. I know it’s easier said than done, trust me. I cried for 48 hours, and I didn’t expect this week to be easy for me. But just because something is hard doesn’t mean that His burden isn’t light. Today I give it to Christ. I have done everything I can, and now I give my father to my heavenly father.

 

I don’t know what is stealing your Peace. But we all have something. I want to leave you with this.

 

And the Peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:7

 

PRAYER

Father God, you promise us a peace that surpasses all understanding, and Lord, we need that today. Lord, we need more of you today. We know this season is about your son Jesus. We know this season is about celebrating your miracle son, your spotless lamb—our truest friend. But we can get so wrapped up in the things that steal our Peace. So, Lord, we give it to you. We give you the shopping lists, we give you the finances, we get you the worry, we give you the family pain, we give you the trauma, we give you the things that steal us from your glory, and we choose to hold onto your promise. You are the Prince of Peace. Thank you. We pray this all in your son’s Holy Name, AMEN!