Saturday, August 30, 2008

Aha! It's Peace

Is is possible that since I feel peace that satan is getting me to think there is something wrong with my relationship with God? Just occurred to me today. I'm not saying that there is not a struggle to pray...there is. BUT maybe I have misunderstood the peace I feel as a disconnect from the Lord, when really it is a gift from Him. I am grateful that I'm not an emotional wreck about my marriage. Yet I have been looking at that and thinking there is something wrong with me. God has given me peace about it!! Oh satan I am so tired of you and the ways you are trying to distract me from MY GOD and His purpose for my life. I'm tired of falling for it too, so I must be ready for battle and know what God has said to me and keep running to Him.

Peace is a good thing. Why have I seen it as anything other than it is. His Word says He will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast on Him (Isaiah 26:3). Why was I missing the promise. I've been intent on keeping my mind on the Lord and not my circumstances and He gave me peace. Man, I am a slow learner!! Many keep telling me not to settle for less than complete healing, that God wants it for me. As much as I appreciate that and understand that, it may not be what God has for me. So I am learning to be content. I'm not giving up on God, just trying to rest in the place He has me right now. (let me reiterate, I am LEARNING to be content...you will hear plenty of complaints in the future, I am sure)

Not being distraught over my marriage falling apart is nothing short of a miracle and a gift and once again I thought I was slipping. God is giving me peace in that as well. By no means am I saying that He does not want my marriage healed but He does want me to know His peace and I do right now. I am one who can obsess and think too much and let my mind wander to things it shouldn't. That has not been happening for me and I know that is only the Lord. Thank you for that! Oh what freedom to not be bogged down by being an emotional wreck. It's not that I don't care, it's not that I have given up, I'm just experiencing the promise of His peace.

How many times do we miss what God is giving us? This relationship between us and God is really quite simple, yet we make it harder than it was intended to be. We over analyze, question our faith, let satan weasel his way into our minds...Well I am done with that (at least for today, you know I am a woman and I'm sure I'll change my mind again) I will accept what God is giving me right now. He is giving me peace. My relationship with Him is not suffering. It is growing. It is alive. It is becoming what He always intended for it to be.

Lord, thank you for showing me today how I was believing the lies. I am in awe that you would be talking with me, yet you do that with each one of your children. Listen for Him, He is speaking. Listen only to His voice. It is still and it is small, so listen well.


18 comments:

Kimberly said...

Sheryl,

Glad you are finding peace even in the darkest valleys!

Love you bunches,
Kimberly

Power Up Love said...

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Unknown said...

Praise Him! He is so good. Peace is a wonderful thing.

It's amazing that in the most difficult trials is where we can feel the most peace.

I'm with you...at least in this moment...I know Satan is not finished with trying to sabatoge my relationship with God. So, we'll be prayer warriors together...knowing that peace only comes from God.

Empty me, Lord

Sheryl

Unknown said...

So glad you are feeling Gods peace. It is so easy for each of us to get anxious or over think things when all we need to do is reach out to God and he will hold us in his arms- surrounding us with that precious peace.

Anonymous said...

sheryl,
I am so glad that you have found peace during the storms of life. He has promised to give us peace that passes all understanding and that is what I have prayed for you!(contentment and peace) I am also reminded as I read the Bible study that His ways and His thoughts are not ours. We don't have any idea what He has planned for our path-but whatever it is- He will be there every step of the way!! You are His and He loves you with an everlasting love! But I will keep praying for your total healing-if that is okay with you. Ha
Melissa (really)

nancygrayce said...

Still praying! So glad you're feeling the peace.

Shirley Mary said...

I am so thankful for the peace that only God can give! And, no doubt about it, satan does all he can to take away our peace and get us to doubt anything and
everything! I love the scripture that you gave in Isaiah. And that's the key.. to keep our mind steadfast on Him!

Amy Carmichael said, "In acceptance lieth peace." I have said that in times of fear and uncertainty.

Yet we are to pray about everything even though He knows what we want and don't want and what we need and don't need!

Right now, we that live on the Gulf of Mexico are watching the weather very closely as Gustav
is getting closer by the hour.
We pray for God's mercy and especially New Orleans.

love,
mary

Michelle said...

AMEN, Sheryl! I'm so thankful you are experiencing that peace right now. I can totally relate. Instead of freaking out about everything that's going on with me right now, I really DO have a peace that everything's gonna be all right. It's a good place to be in, isn't it? Thanks for sharing your sweet heart.

Angela Baylis said...

I will pray for you, sweet Sister in Christ! Satan WILL NOT win. Dear satan... stay away from my friend! I pray God invades your life today! I'm praying for peace in your life today. And, I'll pray for the Fruit of the Spirit... Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness,Gentleness, faithfulness and self-control!
Love you,
Angie xoxo

Eve said...

Matthew 5:4
Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted.

When my little cat, Allie was killed by the Hurricane trucks, cleaning up after Katrina, I was at a point where I could not take anymore. God gave me a peace about her death that I couldn't understand. I knew I should be crying my eyes out, I loved her so much and yet I felt peace. Praise God, even if we forget, he is faithful to his word. If we love him, he takes care of us.

Myriam said...

Sheryl-

Praise God He allowed you to see our enemies for who he really is - a liar.

May His peace continue to rule in your life.

Love you

Myriam

Addicted to Beadz said...

Sheryl,

My sweet friend, I'm glad you are finding peace at this time. I know Satan has been breathing down your neck for too long. It seems the more we want to align with Jesus, the more Satan tries to trip us up.

Praying for you!

Oh, by the way, don't you have your name spelled wrong? And, where have you been? Just kidding!

Love ya,

Cheryl

Anonymous said...

You said it so well Sheryl. I also miss what God is telling me - many times. I often will realize afterwards. It's like on of those "ah- ha" moments - like a lightbulb going off. OH, THAT'S what he was telling me.

I enjoy reading your blog. You always have so many insightful things to share. This is certainly one of the ways that God has chosen you to share His word.

Denise in Texas

Mindy said...

Good girl!! I am so glad that you have been able to see through the devil's deception. He'll do anything to throw us off and I think we're a lot more susceptible than we like to believe. SO glad you are feeling at peace again!

Jenn @ Casa de Castro said...

Sheryl,

We read in 1 Timothy 6:6 that "godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment." Contentment is often hard to achieve, but oh-so-wonderful when we arrive! And that peace? It passes understanding. Oh, yeah.

Keep telling satan to get lost. He has no place in your life and no power over you, but he doesn't listen very well and needs to be reminded. In a strange way, it is almost comforting when we REALIZE satan is working so hard because he does not waste HIS time where GOD is not already at work. God must be up to something big!

Huge hug, dear friend.

Unknown said...

Sheryl,

I just read your post and wanted to ask if we've ever talked about your marriage? (Could you email me?) I don't want to pry, but I have an AMAZING book to offer you (that is IF I've not offered it already). I'm a COMPLETE psycho - I can't remember ANYTHING! I know I've shared it with a few ladies I've met online. It's called "Created To Be His Help Meet." It's by Debi Pearl. If you don't have it, and we've not talked.. will you email me? I'd LOVE to send it! (I'll be praying)

Okay.. I'm going to make my family late for church if I don't go. LOL! I'll check back soon.

LOVE YOU!

PS.. my email is nason5@aol.com

Addicted to Beadz said...

Sheryl, which should be spelled CHERYL,

Just popped over here to let you know you've been on my mind.

Praying for you,
Cheryl

Mindy said...

Hi Sheryl, I have a new series on Proverbs 31 starting today. I hope you'll have a chance to stop by and check it out.

Blessings,
Melinda