Peace That Passes All Understanding

God has really been working in my life lately. Through this process and through prayer, I have been doing a lot of introspection. I have experienced growth that wouldn’t be possible without the hurts and trials that came before the growth. He has given me peace that can only come from Him.

Let me explain.

peace that passes all understandingGod has opened my eyes to realizing that I have been putting too much weight and concern behind seeking the approval of others in my life.

While this is a normal human experience, we all want to be liked, because, who enjoys being disliked? We have to remember who we are in Christ.

“For it was You who created my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I will praise you because I have been remarkably and wondrously made. Your works are wondrous and I know this very well.” Psalm 139:13-14

“The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, and if children, also heirs – heirs of God and coheirs with Christ – if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.” Romans 8:16-17

“Aren’t five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten in God’s sight. Indeed, the hairs of your head are all counted. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” Luke 12:6-7

We are remarkably and wondrously made, knit together in our mother’s womb, coheirs with Christ; He knows every hair on our heads…

If there has ever been a question as to whether we are loved, we can be encouraged through God’s Word that we are deeply LOVED by the Creator of the universe, the one that created each one of us! His approval is the only one that matters. One day when I stand before Him, I want to hear “well done good and faithful servant”. Now… this doesn’t mean we spend our days aloof and unconcerned about the people around us, for we are still called to show the love of Christ to everyone. There definitely is a balance, but let’s not give others the right to dictate our worth or value, when only God can dictate our worth and value. He says we are precious in His sight. (Isaiah 43:4)

I need to give kudos to Jerry Williams at The JOY FM Georgia studios. He is a bit further along in his faith walk and has been a good example for me in this way. He has the God given ability not to let things “ruffle his feathers” so to speak. This has been an encouragement to me and is something I am praying for God to change in my heart as well.

If other people treat us poorly, for any reason… that is a “them problem” and not a “you problem”. It doesn’t change what God thinks of you or me. He has been teaching me to rest in Him and to trust in Him rather than the people of this world – for anything. I often say in our morning devotion group, “we have to expect people to do peopley things”. We are all sinners; we all have flaws and faults and do ugly things.

I don’t want to hold anyone to a higher standard than I hold myself and I don’t want to judge anyone more harshly than I judge myself. Read that again.

If I’m going to be hurt or offended by another person’s behavior, I also have to realize that I may have hurt someone in a similar way and I need to be accountable for that. We all just need to love people where they are and how God created them. I hope to be able to give other people the God given grace they deserve and I hope they can give it to me as well.

Throughout this recent season, God also brought it to light that there’s a person in our small group with a similar background as mine and also going through similar trials right now as well. It’s so similar, in fact, that it’s just further proof that God is in the details and it all came out at just the right time for the purpose of encouraging each other and lifting each other up.

To whoever is reading this right now… Jesus loves YOU! You are accepted by Him! You are not less than… for whatever reason someone has made you feel less than. If you are struggling with your worth or your value based on your human experience; you are expecting people to love you and treat you as Jesus does. They are not capable of that. Turn your eyes and attention to Him and He will not let you down. He has given me incredible peace and I know He can do that for you too.

Amy de Graaff