Finding Peace

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and

your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:7

Have you ever had a season in your life where you were hit with one trial after another, some even overlapping each other, for a very long time? And just when you think things are going to turn around, another wave of trials hits you. Fears and anxieties start to overwhelm you and rob you of your peace. This is a season that my family and I find ourselves in now. For myself, it seems there is no end to this onslaught of problems that has physically and emotionally drained me. Recently, I was praying about the trials that we are facing, and the Holy Spirit brought to my mind Habakkuk 3:17-19. This is a scripture that I memorized in a Bible study several years ago. The Holy Spirit has brought this scripture to mind several times in the last two years.

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer. He enables me to tread on the heights. Habakkuk 3:17-19

I looked up this scripture again for greater context. Like me, Habakkuk was in an overwhelming situation. I felt the Holy Spirit leading me to read the whole chapter, which turned out to be a prayer. The prayer began with adoration for God and His awesome deeds (verse 2a). He then asked the Lord to save His people again, recounting the faithfulness of the Lord and how He had repeatedly rescued His people in miraculous ways in the past (verses 3–16). As he remembered how God provided for him and saved His people, he found joy through gratitude in our faithful and sovereign Lord. Though Habakkuk was still waiting for God’s answer, he made his needs and the needs of God’s people known. Words of gratitude for God’s past provision soon turned into beautiful worship for what God will yet do.

So, I began to pray and thank God for who He is, calling out His many attributes: faithful, good, Comforter, Prince of Peace, Creator, Savior, sovereign, and so many more. Then I recalled and thanked God for how He cared for us, provided for us, and for His greatest gift of grace through Christ. I confessed my fears and my lack of trust. I shared my heart, my troubles, and my needs. I started to pray for some of His promises like “I will never leave you or forsake you,” and suddenly my current trials were no longer my focus. Today, my eyes are still fixed on Jesus while the storm rages on around me. I am no longer frightened because I know the One who controls the storm. I found peace in knowing that He is with me. I found peace in the trust I have in my Shepherd, who laid down His life so that I might be reconciled to Him. I found peace in knowing that Jesus is praying for me. This is the peace that surpasses all understanding that is talked about in Philippians 4:4-7.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7

If you are going through something difficult right now, remember who the God you serve is. Pray or write down some of His many immutable attributes. Recall times in your past when God walked with you, healed you, provided for you, encouraged you, or saved you. Confess any unbelief, fears, sins, or your troubled heart. Tell Him everything and let your doubts and fears go. Then trust in His promises! Trust in His Word that is for you! Finally, thank Him and worship Him for all that He is. Then rest in the peace that only comes from Him, the peace that surpasses all understanding.

(Jesus) Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27