I strive for peace, safety and security. I am a cautious person. One opportunity knocks, and the door opens wide, allowing countless scenarios to walk in. And I stand there, almost immobile, feeling the weight of each one pass through my heart and mind as I stare at the door trying to justify moving forward, continuing to stand still or turning around and walking away.

Peace.

Peace is what I am pursuing at that moment, yet at the same time, it’s also what I’m fighting against. Peace is not immobilizing; it frees you to ascend to the highest mountain point and thrive in the lowest part of the valley. It alleviates the weight of the burdens you’ve struggled to carry and settles your rushing heart. Peace catches the heaviest of your tears while escorting hope to your bedside as your knees hold up the prayers that have left your lips.

So hold onto it. Please, hold on to it.

It will take discipline. You will have to refrain from agreeing to the storylines that your emotions outline for you. Rewrite them. It will take you fighting for joy in moments that bring sorrow. Endure them. You’ll have to remember that these moments are just that, moments, and they will pass just as the hours of the day do. It will be work. It will be hard, and you will wonder if it is worth it.

It is. It is so worth it.

And peace…it’s yours. You decide if you give it away. Keeping it requires no justifying. Because when the door opens, whether you are called to walk through it, stand still, or turn and walk away, you’ll want peace taking each step with you.

Prayer: Father, thank You for offering us peace. Thank You that in that peace, we know that You are for us, and You are aware of where we are and where we are going. We can trust You with our future because you are already there. May this truth give us the peace we need to rest in You. 

Amen.