The problem when we don’t have peace is that we’re taking too much pressure on ourselves.
There’s only so much we can do. But as much as we’d like to think we are, we are not in control of the universe. We all want to be our own god. We want our own sense of justice administered in this world. We want to have control over what is going to happen and how people treat us. But I’ve found out, that I’m not a god. I’m just a little, tiny, weak, good looking sinner.
I don’t control the weather, or the economy, politics, the real estate market, or my boss, or my parents, or my kids, or my spouse, or American Idol. All the stresses those things place on me make me realize more and more how small I am.
Some of us stay up and night thinking about what we can do to fix the situation. Or we get in a bad mood, or we let the stress build up between us and our spouse, parents/kids, coworkers, whoever. Or we spend time dreading a situation that hasn’t even arrived yet. Or we have theoretical arguments running through our heads.
We think we have the necessary amount of control to make a difference. We go past the part of just coming up with a plan of action, but we go on and internalizing the pressure by thinking that what we do or don’t can fix or ruin a situation. But we are not God. We do not control the universe. We don’t control people’s hearts, or society, or the economy. We are weak. But you know what?
Understanding our weakness is half the point. The other half of is our response to understanding that weakness. Listen to these verses about our weakness.
2 Cor 12[9] But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. [10] That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Wow, that’s a powerful verse.
So what do we do?
How do we “delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties”?
His grace is made perfect when we understand our weakness and frailty and stop believing that we control things, and that it is only God who controls things, and that He controls things for our good, because He has an all-powerful love for us.
So we need to do three things when things are going wrong and we are trying to find peace.
1. As you pray, praise God for his sovereignty (his ability to control the universe), and that he uses this control in whatever situation you’re dealing with because he loves us.
2. Pray for wisdom so you know what God wants you to do in this situations that’s bothering you.
3. Pray for humility so you understand that our strength comes from this humility, by knowing we must simply be obedient, and that the rest is up to God.
When we don’t have peace, a lot of times it’s really because we don’t feel like God is in control – and that’s an insult to God. So remember… Don’t freak out, God knows what he’s doing.
2 Cor 12[9] But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. [10] That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Take time to pray: Praise God for his sovereignty and love. Delight in your weakness, because God’s grace is enough. Today’s Fruit of the Spirit: Peace. I haven’t been able to sleep well or even go about my day without my mind racing about a certain turmoil I’ve been dealing with. I’m sure we all go through times like this. And some of you have multiple turmoils you’re dealing with simultaneously. And no, running low on bacon isn’t a turmoil. But we’ll talk again once we run out.