Everything seemed so bright. We had a wonderful life, complete with happy kids, good salaries, and a hopeful future. But one crisis after another happened, and that life faded away, leaving behind a pile of debt, unemployment, arguments, and so much anxiety.
What happened to my life, God? Did we do something wrong? Tell me what kind of magic-button prayer will get us out of this mess!
I cried everyday, wondering if I’d run out of tears, but they never did. Every day, I begged God to rescue us from the scary land of uncertainty and give us back the old life we had. I felt stuck in the middle of our painful circumstances and felt powerless to change the future.
So I played the only strategy I knew how to use: worrying. I thought I could protect myself from heartache and pain if I imagined all the worst-case scenarios in advance:
What if we can’t pay this month’s bills?
What if we can’t pay for the medical test?
What if we need a new transmission?
What if our life never gets better?
However, obsessing about all of my “what if” worries didn’t make me feel better. Instead, I felt worse! I ignored the wisdom of Matthew 6:27 (NLT): “Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?” Now I know the answer is no, but back then my worries stressed me out during the day and led to countless sleepless nights.
Maybe you’re like me, faced with an uncertain season of life and stuck in the middle of hardship or heartache. Consider how the disciples were immediately after Jesus was crucified. Though the text doesn’t tell us where they were or what they were doing, it’s not hard to imagine they were devastated by the loss of their teacher, leader, and friend. Perhaps they debated about the “what if” worries — What if the religious leaders come after us? What if everything Jesus taught us wasn’t true after all?
But Jesus knew the day would come when His disciples would be uncertain and fearful of the future, when worries would overwhelm their hearts and minds. So before His death, He imparts these powerful words to fill their hearts with faith when the time came:
I am leaving you with a gift — peace of mind and heart. And the peace I
give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.
John 14:27 (NLT)
The peace Jesus gives is a supernatural feeling of calm in the midst of chaos and hardship. It’s the kind of peace we absolutely need when we’re not sure what will happen next.
It took a few years of stressed-out days and sleepless nights for me to learn to surrender my worrying ways in favor of Jesus’ peace, and though our difficult season continued, God was faithful to remind me of His promise of peace.
We can rest assured that His promise doesn’t have an expiration date. It never runs empty. And when our “what if” worries try to steal our calm and trust in Him, we are only a prayer away from receiving shalom from the Prince of Peace.
Leave a Comment
Michele Morin says
Somehow these promises seem so much more poignant and precious because you have set the stage for the context in which they were given. We have not been abandoned! Thank you for drawing aside the curtain on that heartbreaking season in your own life as an encouragement to readers on this day.
Barb Roose says
Hi Michele, thank you! Those tough seasons are so tough, but I am grateful for how faithful God is all of the time. Thanks for your comment.
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Barb,
So true that the gift we receive in the midst of our heartaches and trials is the Prince of Peace Himself. I can honestly say that I don’t believe I would have the close relationship with my Lord had I not gone through all the trials I’ve been through. It’s hard to “count it all as joy” when you are in the crucible, but Jesus calls us not to worry, not to try to control, not to go into self sufficiency mode, but to utterly and totally lean into and depend upon Him. He has been more than faithful, not only to show up in the valleys, but to carry me through to the other side (no matter how long and deep the valleys are). Thank you for the reminder that the Lord’s gift to us is not a carefree life; His gift is His presence, strength, grace, and love.
Blessings,
Bev xx
Jas says
Amen! Bev I really like that ‘Gods gift is not to give us a carefree life but his gift is his presence’
Barb Roose says
Amen, Bev! Your words are a precious and powerful testimony to faithfulness and peace in hard times. Thank you!
Jas says
Thank you for sharing this time in your life with us all and a direct reminder that Jesus our Lord provides peace that is eternal. It is hard not to worry and to completely give all our uncertainty and anxieties to God without still worrying! It is a lesson I am still learning but to feel God’s peace blanket over my own anxieties is like no other, we are so lucky and blessed to have Him to talk to, to pray to and to have Him by our side x
Barb Roose says
Jas, we are lucky that we can talk to God when we’re stressed, aren’t we! Thank you for what you’ve shared. Learning to trust God and surrender our worry is part of our life journey – and it’s a blessing that we can all learn how to do it together!
Mary says
Such wisdom in these words. And a beautiful and timely (for me) reflection. Thank you.
Barb Roose says
Mary, that’s awesome! I’m so glad that God used this post to encourage you 🙂
Kathy Cheek, Devotions from the Heart says
I have learned that the greater faith and trust I place in Him no matter the circumstance is where I find His peace and that His peace truly is beyond our understanding and is a beautiful gift to help us through the challenges. It is our enemy that wants us consumed with worry and doubt. It is God who asks us to trust and believe He will meet our every need.
Barb Roose says
Kathy, you are so right! Thank you for sharing your experience and encouragement with us.
Paula says
Love this Barb. THanks for sharing. Being a “Chicken LIttle” descendant, I always need these reminders of His precious promises.
Barb Roose says
Paula, I love that! I’m a Chicken Little Descendant, too – ha! But in Jesus’ name, we can have victory – amen!
J says
I am in a cold, dark, fearful season. Daily the ‘what ifs’ bombard me like bombs dropped from a war plane. Thank you for the reminder that God is faithful and He is my protector from the onslaught of the enemy. Please pray for me and my family as we weather this terrible season knowing that God is able.
Penny says
J,
I’m sorry that you are in a dark, troubled place, but please know that I’m praying that God’s light will shine down on you and brighten your day(s).
Blessings to you,
Penny
Kit Tosello says
J,
May our great, strong God of mercy and love draw you closer in this season, and may you feel his peace-giving presence in tangible ways. For every fear-based what-if there’s a corresponding what-about God, a truth or truths anchored solidly in his Word, a rock to cling to. For example, “What if our needs aren’t met today?” becomes “God has his eye on me always. He knows my every need and he is faithful.” Keep preaching truth to your what-ifs and know that there IS a season of restoration ahead!
Barb Roose says
J, thank you for what you’ve shared. My heart goes out to you and your family during this hard season. Thank you for telling us how we can pray for you.
Penny says
Barb,
Worrying can be part of human nature, but no matter the storm, releasing it to God is what’s calmed me, and brought the beautiful gift of peace thereafter. Thankful for this and your lovelywords this morning.
Have a blessed day all,
Penny
Barb Roose says
Hi Penny, you are so right! Surrender is the path to peace. It’s so hard to do, but God does bless us when we let go of our fears and give our worries to Him.
Sarah says
So spot on! This situation sounds all to familiar to me. I am slowly learning to let myself to allow God’s peace to transcend all understanding.
Barb Roose says
Yes! Sarah, that’s awesome! One day at a time, one moment at a time and God is with you every step of the way!
Kit Tosello says
Thank you, Barb, for this strong word of hope!
Barb Roose says
Hi Kit, I’m so glad that God used this post to encourage you today!
Lisa says
Thank You for sharing Father’s Truth. You have no idea how much this means to me today…Father God’s Timing right :). Without going into details … Please keep me in and uplift in Prayer. God Bless You for Loving like Jesus!
Barb Roose says
Oh Lisa, praise God! I’m so glad that God knew what you needed to hear and when you needed to hear it. Praying and trusting God’s best for you and those that you love.
Rebecca Jones says
Isn’t it strange? We know those verses and do it anyway. And it doesn’t change a thing.
Barb Roose says
Rebecca, it’s crazy, isn’t it? Aren’t we so glad that God is gracious? He lets us drive ourselves up a wall with worry until we’re ready to stop and surrender to Him. I’m so grateful that God’s word doesn’t change and He gives us time to get ourselves in step with Him!
Nancy Ruegg says
Surrender IS a learned behavior–continually turning the worries and what-ifs over to Jesus, continually affirming trust in Him. Thank you for sharing your story, Barb, illustrating the power of prayer to access His peace. So encouraging!
Barb Roose says
I love that, Rebecca! Surrender is learned behavior – so true. Thanks for your words of wisdom.
Beth Williams says
Barb,
God said there will be trials & tribulations in this world. But take heart for I have overcome the world. Everyone will go through a rough season. It is through those trials/rough patches that we grow closer to God. We learn to lean on Him & the Holy Spirit for strength. The devil would have us worry, fret & wonder what if. He likes to see us upset & depressed. I hit rough patches in 2016 & 2017. My solution the second time around was to listen to Stephen C. Chapman praise music & sing to God. It calmed me down & put me at ease. It was my way of turning it over to God. I am actually happy now for those times. They have grown me spiritually. I now have more faith in God than ever before. He allowed me to witness a miracle then & just this year.
Blessings 🙂
Barb Roose says
Hi Beth, I love your testimony to how God gets us through these tough seasons in our lives – especially since we all go through them. I love how you shared one of my favorite tools – music – to soothe our souls and help us remember that God is with us. Praise God for how you’ve seen those miracles take place and how you’ve given God glory for them!