Making Room for Peace

How do we find peace in a continuously changing, unstable world?

Undoubtedly this is a question many a bewildered soul has asked. The world is at war on so many fronts. Anger abounds. Chaos ensues. Sin and death have marred the landscape of life. In the words of Anne Lamott, “ Cain is still killing Abel.” The casualties are mounting. We have all been touched by something. The world is not as it should be.

Christmas with all its fanfare and high expectations seems to highlight the painful places in our lives. Families are broken and dysfunctional: some face daunting financial and health crises; other families face the rawness of grief and will celebrate Christmas without a cherished loved one. There is no perfect Christmas.

Yet, friends, when we look closely at the Christmas story, we see our Savior-The Prince of Peace, born into what still remains one of the most war torn, tension filled regions of the world. He was received in a filthy smelly stable, placed in a dirty manger, and wrapped in rags.

What was God thinking? Maybe, it begs the point that peace is not found in circumstances. Rarely, do we get to neatly tie a glitzy red bow around our problems. Life is messy.

Friends, making room for true, lasting peace requires a shift in our focus. We must choose to anchor our hearts and steer our minds on The Prince of Peace and what He did and continues to do in all of our lives. Remember, dear one, Christmas is the earthly beginning of our redemption story.

Jesus was born to die. On our behalf, He made peace with God, restoring us to our Father through His sacrificial death. His dying, resurrection, and promise to return is our only source of lasting, authentic, peace and hope.


Sister, hold on to that promise even when the ever changing, shifting sands of your circumstances cause so much unrest - making life feel like it is spiraling out of control.  

Our pain, losses, and adversities are not the end of the story. The Prince of Peace is redeeming and rewriting our lives and that of the world. God’s redemption has the final say over our circumstances, our lives, and the painful violent events occurring in our global world.

The Christmas story is still unfolding. Jesus has promised to return and restore peace. Someday, the world will be as it should, healed and whole. May our hearts rest in that knowledge  when chaos and pain are relentlessly swirling around us. He will come again and all will be right, good, and well. Hold on dear, weary sister to His parting words, “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)

Word of the Day:
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)
    
Sister, what is robbing your life of His peace? Spend some time asking God to speak words of love and security into those places of unrest. Thank Him for the promise of peace that transcends all understanding.
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Author:  Maryanne Abbate


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