Peace is Simple

Peace is Simple

Last week, I had one of those moments when peace descended and I’m so glad that it did.

 

I have to back up a little, For the past few years, I have thought about going back to school. I know God was urging and I was ignoring. But like 2018 was a year of growth and really listening to God’s voice. Also feeling tired and stuck in a place where things I want but are not possible right now.  But this summer, I decided that the only way to check off some of the things in my bucket list is to take a step forward by faith and go back to school.

 

This has caused me lots of anxiety, and moments of self-doubt, because as I mentioned before I vehemently decided that I would never go back to school. When I graduated with my English degree, I was exhausted and sick of books that I didn’t want to look at another book.  I got married, started a new life, got cancer, beat cancer and through all of that worked. However this year I decided that to be able to have children, adopt, and eventually live closer to my family, that a major change would need to happen.

 

So I took a step forward and decided to go back to school. Last week I was able to attend an open house for the school I was planning on going to and this peace descended on me. I wasn’t anxious and for the first time of making this decision, I was excited to take this step. It reassured me that I was heading in the right direction.  

 

I have had other moments when peace that passes understanding descends and my anxiety is chased away. One such moment was when I had my first biopsy for cancer and I had to have CT scan where my arms were hoisted above my head so they could go through the lung to get a small sample. At that moment I was holding a cord in my hand and I looked at it and it had the name of a medical device company on that my Dad had worked at. Suddenly it felt like Papa Bear was there with me.  Peace ran through me and I could focus on the instructions of the doctors.

 

Sometimes when I go to places that are breathtaking. Like Yosemite and just because there is a lack of outside noise I can feel that peace. I also experience that at Zoos. I feel a clearing of my mind and my troubles melt away. I know it sounds like Oz but it’s true. If I go somewhere were beauty is present and I see the time that God took to put into this world.

 

Peace is often a buzzword for our society, there are lots of people trying to achieve peace. The only peace comes from God. When we keep our eyes focused on God is when peace can descend.  Making time to read our bible, pray and focus on positive things are ways to achieve peace. But there are things in my routine I do to make space for peace.

 

Here are some ways that I gain peace in my ever crazy life.

I read my bible. Whether it be a verse or a chapter. I try to read it every day. Which doesn’t always happen like that. Some mornings it doesn’t happen and that okay.

I don’t respond to work emails when I am not at work. When I’m at home it’s my time and unless it’s an emergency the email can wait till morning.

I have moments of quiet. Whether I’m making tea, making dinner. There are moments of listening to the world around me and that’s okay. I can reflect on God, pray or even breathe.

I listen to positive music and try to watch positive things. Music is a big part of my life and I find by listening to positive music helps me be more aware for times when God sends me peace.

I pray.

I eat chocolate 🙂

I watch a movie.

I avoid the news. Our world is crazy and dark most of the times. It’s not because I don’t want to know what going on. But new stations style of repeating the same information causes me to have moments of anxiety and fear.

I go to church

I am open to peace because I ask for peace. Peace is something I seek out every day.  I don’t experience it every day but I do ask God for it every day.

 

Colossians 1:9

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives.

 

TTFN and God Bless you and Keep you