PEACE That Passes All Understanding

These days, as women, one of our biggest claims is that we can multi-task. We can bring home the bacon and fry it up in a pan, raise the kids, maintain our home, and still be that alluring woman for our man. STOP!Something is definitely wrong with this picture. In many cases, we women feel like we need to do it all and that asking for help makes us less of a person. Why do we think we need to be a superwoman? Today, women are experiencing heart disease, strokes, and depression, and are deserting their families like never before.

We crawl into bed, weary and exhausted, ready for a good night’s sleep, however, someone forgot to tell our mind it’s time to shut down too? We replay the day or review our list of things to do. Or, we fall asleep, only to wake up several hours later because we can’t get rid of the nagging thoughts.

We are all faced with the challenges that LIFE brings our way. My reality is that I believe what Jesus says in His Word, “…in the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NKJV). Life, as we know it, will never be perfect, and being a Christian does not guarantee that life will be a rose garden. He has given us, in lieu of roses, His wonderful, marvelous peace to help us walk through the valleys.

The Lord reminded me that “to be spiritually minded is life and peace” (Romans 8:6 KJV),and I longed to return to a place of peace and rest that can only be found in Him.  Our merciful Father then took me to some verses we used to sing as a song, “For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them]” (Philippians 4:8 AMP).I began seeking His peace – that wonderful, marvelous peace that I knew existed, but that had eluded me for a season. Where was the peace that passes all understanding? In Him. One of the last things I realized is that I needed to refresh myself in the Lord.

Thus, I began a continuous daily journey where I choose to:

1. Cast down the negative thoughts by thinking His thoughts (II Corinthians 10:5).
2. Keep my mind set on the Spirit by encouraging myself in the Lord through daily prayer, praise, and the Word.
3. Be slow to speak, using my words carefully (James 1:19), and yes, even changing my vocabulary as needed.

I want to let you know that if you are experiencing any of these things, you are not alone. Depression has reached epidemic proportions today among both women and men. My heart goes out to anyone who battles this illness, but I do know one thing – that our Lord is more than able to set you free from this. What He did for me, He will and can do for you. I am so very thankful for His great mercy and grace unto each and every one of us.