Women's Focus Ministries: Monday Writing...12/9/18..."Peace That Passes All Understanding"

Good Morning,

One popular scripture for most people is in Philippians 4:5-6, where God says that He will give us peace that passes all understanding. Most of human life is spent looking for peace, and the place we can find it is in the heart that God has for His children. Karen wrote, "Loving Father, Help is in every way to completely surrender all our problems, doubts, and fears to You, that we may have the peace only You can give. May we rest in You, knowing that You are in control..."

Start to develop the habit of giving your worries and challenges to your Father and rest. He never sleeps, and He knows how to handle your troubles.

Have a blessed week.
Karen Bennett
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Today's Devotional

"Peace That Passes All Understanding"

Written by Karen Bennett

Have you ever had an occasion so overwhelming, you’ve just given it all to God, as He wants I might add, and tried to push it from your worry list? Have you given Him problems in your bedtime prayers to enable you to sleep, but foolishly strapped them on your back again in the morning for a trip down Worry Lane all over again?

That brief time of peace to give you sleep is a mere taste of what can be rightfully ours through our compassionate God. As youngsters, we ran to our parents with our problems, because they made us feel so much better. God is our Father, give your cares and worries to Him that you can function stress free. The peace you find through Him is the best there is. Stretch that time before sleep to encompass the entire day.

Prayer is our private time with God. Oh yes, we have our beautiful time of public, shared prayer in church or with friends and family that brings strength to us, but our private prayer time with our Heavenly Father brings the peace that passes all understanding to our personal issues. We need both shared and private prayer in our lives.

Recently, I had a serious health problem. After a couple of Urgent Care and ER visits to the hospital, they decided to admit me. After countless tests, scans, ultrasounds, IV’s, breathing treatments, blood draws, diet maintenance, because I couldn’t eat more than three mouths full per meal, and many other tests, they determined I needed surgery. I had no energy and needed help with most bodily functions.

They were going to do laparoscopic surgery, but the organ that needed to be removed was so enlarged they had to do open surgery, rewarding me with two tiny incisions and a lovely 9 inch incision. There is also a rupture that is healing. There are still other things I have to contend with and I’m praying they will not be permanent. Recovery will be ongoing for a while yet.

Through all of this, the most important thing I can say is, I was not afraid for a single moment. This is not a boast for me, but a witness to the power, love, and compassion of our most loving Lord! It’s to His glory that I was gifted with the peace that passes all understanding for just giving it all to Him and trusting Him for all to be well, no matter what! I also had the prayers of my family, friends, and church family. They were so filled with love, I could feel them and rest comfortably in the care of our Lord. I’m far from recovered, and despite a setback, I know that I am safe in God. I have the peace!

“Be careful for nothing,

but in everything by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding,
shall keep your hearts and minds
through Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:5-6

Loving Father, Help is in every way to completely surrender all our problems, doubts, and fears to You, that we may have the peace only You can give. May we rest in You, knowing that You are in control, and all will be well. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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"PEACE"