Peace beyond circumstances—it sounds like a dream come true. And I thought it was something I had—until the circumstances surrounding me proved to be more than I could handle in my own strength. It was something I have come to possess, thanks to the tough times of life.
It’s one of the good things that came out the times our son was deployed. With the stress of having a son fighting in a war was a fuller understanding of what it meant to live in peace.
The world would have us define peace as the absence of war or strife. True peace is the confidence that no matter what battles rage around us, we—and those we love—are safe.
That safety takes many forms and doesn’t always guarantee physical safety.
What we’re promised is safety in spite of what this world delivers. Somehow, no matter how desperate our circumstances, when we turn to God, He remakes our circumstances. He always delivers on His promise to work all things together to good for those who love Him.
In my situation, this meant our son returned home from war. For another mother I know, it meant God delivered her son out of horrible circumstances and into eternity. We don’t get to put conditions on the peace God provides. He knows what’s best, because only He has the perspective of Eternity. He’s not limited by time or space, past or present, future or even what if. He knows it all.
And all of it comes to us sifted through His fingers of love. So I encourage you to take hold of the peace He promises. The tough times will come, but God holds us close until the storm passes.