There are times in our lives when our peace is based simply on our own ignorance. But when we are awakened to the realities of life, true inner peace is impossible unless it is received from Jesus. When our Lord speaks peace, He creates peace, because the words that He speaks are always “spirit, and they are life” ( John 6:63 ). Have I ever received what Jesus speaks? “. . . My peace I give to you. . .”— a peace that comes from looking into His face and fully understanding and receiving His quiet contentment.

Are you severely troubled right now? Are you afraid and confused by the waves and the turbulence God sovereignly allows to enter your life? Have you left no stone of your faith unturned, yet still not found any well of peace, joy, or comfort? Does your life seem completely barren to you? Then look up and receive the quiet contentment of the Lord Jesus. Reflecting His peace is proof that you are right with God, because you are exhibiting the freedom to turn your mind to Him.

If you are not right with God, you can never turn your mind anywhere but on yourself. Allowing anything to hide the face of Jesus Christ from you either causes you to become troubled or gives you a false sense of security.

With regard to the problem that is pressing in on you right now, are you “looking unto Jesus” ( Hebrews 12:2 ) and receiving peace from Him? If so, He will be a gracious blessing of peace exhibited in and through you. But if you only try to worry your way out of the problem, you destroy His effectiveness in you, and you deserve whatever you get. We become troubled because we have not been taking Him into account. When a person confers with Jesus Christ, the confusion stops, because there is no confusion in Him. Lay everything out before Him, and when you are faced with difficulty, bereavement, and sorrow, listen to Him say, “Let not your heart be troubled . . .” ( John 14:27 ).

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Journal Entry for Today-JDV

August 26, 2010

I am embarrassed to admit that I still want the circumstances and difficulties to be smoothed out, or better yet, gone.

I have not yet grown enough to remember that the storms and trials are opportunities for God to speak loudly and clearly to me.

I still reach out with prayers and pleadings for God to change everything else even though I know that through the circumstances and storms He is changing me.

And God says…”Keeping your eyes on Me inside the storm is a discipline formed by the storms and trials of your life. You are transformed by the life of Jesus as you experience My mercy, grace and love in circumstances that really matter to you. In order to create a life in Jesus, your own life must be broken and I accomplish this in your storms.

Remember I will never leave you. The storms of this life are natural things. Your transformation is supernatural and occurs right in the middle of the storms. Keep your eyes on me, not your storms, and be transformed.

I love you and remember that nothing can separate you from My love and care. If I am for you who or what can stand against you?