Dread & Discouragement Lifted-Perfect Peace Prevailed.

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3 ESV.  I spoke the lasts few days about “Parenting with Perfect Peace.” Not about perfect parenting, that is impossible and I would have been disqualified.

Because I shared about God’s peace and the authority believers have to release peace today the enemy tried to rob my peace. I should have known he’d be up to some devilish tricks. I’ve been warned, have your prayer team pray for you after you speak. (NOTE TO SELF…implement this plan.)

This attack wasn’t… BOOM! right off the bat.  Nope, the enemy waited, sutdied me first as I went about my day. Nevertheless a gloomy FEELING of discouragement crept in like an unplesant odor as he tried to play a “movie trailer” of my future.

You know what I’m talking about, right? Can you relate? He plays a “movie trailer” of your future for you… These things aren’t real. He manipulates your imagination so you believe these things are CERTAIN to happen. This creates dread.

That was his tactic of choice today, to spread dread and discouragement about the future of my family. He tried to get the best of me. But I resolved discouragement would NOT win. This will not take over! You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you because he trusts in you. 

I texted a friend. “We need to pray I’m  feeling weary and discouraged.” Sometimes just getting it out is helpful and I know I must take authority of the thoughts and not allow them to ping-pong around inside my head. Thanks God for my friend’s prayer.  I reminded myself… I can’t lose my peace when my mind is stayed on Jesus. I decided to do what I told the audience members to do. “I release peace in Jesus name!” I said aloud.

Later, I texted a friend.  It was quite warm outside and I wanted to invite her on a walk. You may wonder why I decided to walk when I was feeling attacked and a bit discouraged? Because it is a PERFECT time to take a walk! I know exercise is a big way to lift my spirits, so I do it. Thanks God for my healthy body and the ability to walk and exercise.

While out I reviewed the verse. You will keep in perfect peace… I passed the school yard with active children playing during noon recess. Those wonderful sights and sounds caught my attention. These elementary aged kids yelled and giggled. Their chasing around was a wonderful sign of life. Thank you God for small children, laughter and life!

It lifted. My emotions were no longer in control and the atmosphere was shifted. I don’t know what you are facing today. Whatever it is, remember…don’t let your emotions and feelings run the show! I heard a pastor, Kris Vallotton say, “Emotions are my slave not my master!” Feelings are not what run my life, remember that!  

If you FEEL like things aren’t going to turn around for you even in 2018, don’t trust your feelings. Trust God! I believe 2018 will turn around and be the exact opposite. It’s called faith:

• Being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you cannot see.
• God is able to turn things around.
• What is impossible with man is possible with God.
• He is always doing something new. (Isaiah 43:19)

Remember we can’t lose our peace when our minds are stayed on him. The outcomes that we experience and the future we possess are based on the word of God not the words floating around in our heads. So we can’t let any nasty thoughts rob our peace or steal our joy. Instead, let’s say, “I release peace. In Jesus name.”

Let’s keep these things looping in our minds:

• You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you because he trusts in you.
• Joy is rooted in Jesus and found in His presence.
• Joy has a companion – thankfulness.
• God is good. He is for me not against me. He’s a good father.
• Joy is filled in trusting God and is a promise even in hard times.

The enemy wants us to suffer in silence, but let’s release peace and soak in the truth of God’s word…

Promise: God will not reject His people. “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10

Promise: If you persevere under trial, you will be rewarded. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4: 17-18

Promise: God will deliver you from all your troubles.  If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us. 2 Chronicles 20:9