She Reads Truth: Songs of AscentSample

Oh, how I am a people pleaser. I want every meal I cook to be the most delicious thing my company has ever tasted. I want everyone to get my “sparkling” wit. I want to be wanted. But it turns out, I can’t please everyone. As hard as I may find it to believe, some people just don’t like me. And in the instant of that realization, my peace is out the window. But God’s peace never is. In fact, it’s waiting to be found, like a secret weapon. God’s peace is both a prayer and a promise. We pray for His blessings in our walk—to enjoy a life of obedience, to feel His protection over our health and our home, for Him to breathe life into our families. And in His peace, He promises to set our souls free. Free from perfection. Free from wanting the approval of others. Free from competing in every popularity contest that we want to win. The mind governed by the flesh is death but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. (Romans 8:6, NIV) Our Lord guarantees life in Him rather than death in the world, because peace with Him transcends the pain, brokenness and emptiness of this world. Let’s choose His peace. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. (Romans 12:18, NIV) While we shouldn’t need everyone to like us, as Believers, we’re called to love the unlovable. We’re called to love peace, seek peace, be at peace. When that peace is disrupted, in our families and relationships, as hard as it may be, if we are in Him, we should work to bring His peace to those situations. Let’s choose His peace. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13, NIV) It all boils down to the hope and peace we have in Him. When we are full of that hope and peace, we have no time to fuss over the little quarrels and pettiness that stand to disrupt where we are. Let’s choose His peace. We’re praying for you to find His peace, Sisters. And He promises to give it abundantly to you.