Wednesday, October 12, 2011

SCARY PEACE

Hopefully, that title didn't scare you off…(tell me you're smiling just a little bit!!)

I was talking the other day with a friend – about all the trials that have hit my family in the last few months. I talked about how exhausted I am. How much my emotions and body are in turmoil. How I don't understand anything that's been going on – or why it won't just stop for a while so I can catch my breath…

And, after ranting and raving – (I like to call it sharing) – I spoke about the Lord.

About how He has somehow brought me peace.

Scary peace, yes…

But peace nonetheless.

So what do I mean by scary peace?

Well, have you ever had those times when you feel so nervous and anxious you think you're going to literally crawl out of your skin? Those times when you know you're on the "Worry Train" but you just can't seem to slow it down enough to jump off?

Times when you're not only listening to the enemy’s lies, you've downright bought a subscription to them?

Times when you're in the middle of a torrential rain, pounding thunder and crackling lightning, a raging storm with high-pitched waves – and Jesus is asleep in the back of the boat?

Yes, I'm sure you have.

That's how I've been feeling lately.

But…

…somehow I also feel different. Overwhelmed, yes, but not overcome. Distraught, sure, but not destroyed. Frantic, oh boy, but not faithless.

Underneath it all, I feel a peace that I've not felt before. Like an undercurrent of warm water that flows beneath the wind-tossed storm that's wildly thrashing me around.

I'm not sure that I've ever felt this way.

If I was one of the disciples in that boat, of course I'd be looking at the storm, and wondering why isn't Jesus doing SOMETHING about it? And believe me – the Lord is hearing *plenty* along those lines from me!

And yet, I have a sense of peace because, after all, HE IS IN THE BOAT WITH ME!

And He seems pretty calm.

I told my son the other day about this – trying to describe how I feel.

I told Him I had scary peace.

"Um, Mom, do you think you could clarify that for me?" (My son is a very, very patient man…)

"Yeah, it's like I’m really anxious, but I'm not afraid. I'm still scared, but I feel strong and secure and safe. I don't feel calm, but I feel peace. Scary peace. Get it?"

I think he did – I hope you do, too.

Jesus truly does offer us a peace that is not like the world's peace. It isn't based on earthly feelings, but on eternal facts. It surpasses the mere absence of anxiety – it encompasses a bedrock faith that will carry us through the stormy seas until we reach the other side.

Yup, I'm still anxious – but I'm not afraid.

Jesus is in my boat – and like I said before…

…He seems pretty calm!


How does Jesus bring you peace in the middle of your storms?


(Please join me over at Joan's GRACE CAFE for a cup of encouragement
and
some praise at BRAG ON GOD FRIDAY)

BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

22 comments:

  1. Just so you know, I have already been to God in prayer this morning, and I have prayed for you. Another boatload of that scary peace should be waiting for you as you wake up.

    I do know what you mean. I felt it on 9/11. I love how you summed it up. Jesus is in the boat, and HE looks calm.

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  2. It's like you can be scared without him which is horrible or scared with him which gives you peace. No matter what it will be okay. Either way.

    Love, sandie

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  3. Perhaps this is a good way to put the peace that I am finally coming to over the past week. Scary Peace. You should patent the title - I mean - copyright it!

    But, I think what has helped in my case is finally coming into a place of submission to my situation and letting go of what I thought was so very important. I was trying to hold onto a lot of selfishness - reputation, credentials - fighting for a vision that was imperfect because it involves the world system. I can't change the system I find myself working within - but I can change ME within.

    So, I am going with the flow. Giving it all into the hands of those who have reveled in misunderstanding, miscommunication, and flat out rebellion where they refused to be moved - like a child throwing a temper tantrum. It has been grossly humiliating to be made scapegoat.

    But, here's the immediate fruit I just figured out: Their work load now increases - and mine decreases. Laying aside the substandard principle of the thing, accepting that this is just business as usual in the world system - I am free now to just put in my 9 hours a day, three days a week and go home to enjoy HOME!

    What a revelation! More time for Home, Husband, Family, and Ministry - AND BLOGGING! AND ART & READING!

    It's a scary peace - and I wonder about job security - but - you're right, God is IN the boat. He didn't bring me this far to let me fall overboard and be lost at sea.

    May you continue to know His peace through your trying time. Not that we're through the storm - but, we maybe have gained a fresh perspective of the situation that brings blessing to deeper places. For me - submitting myself to the pressure of the wave and riding it into the shoreline rather than wrestling it back and going under has been an open door to the valuable place of tutorial in His Spirit.

    Be ye blessed - and ride that wave!!
    Joy!
    Kathy

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  4. I do understand! Scary peace is a peace a midst the storm. It is the knowledge that ultimately, everything is going to be ok because Jesus is our Savior. He has everything under control. The waves may crash against the boat as adrenaline flows through us, but even if it capsizes, we are safe in His arms.

    Blessings!

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  5. Scary peace is when we have put it all on Him! We know He will take care of us but we don't know how. We get bent, but never broken. The storm raging around us is scary, but on the inside, we're up on His lap, waiting for the storm to pass. He is the rock that can't be moved in the midst of the storm. If we're anchored to Him, we can't go down. Blessings to you as you go through these times. I just came through my own storms and I'm still shaking a little bit, but I came through!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  6. (((Sharon)))

    It sounds like you're in the fire. You're being refined...purified. Character is developing. It hurts in this place, but you are hanging on to God's promises, and I have a feeling He is smiling down on you right now!

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  7. Sharing about the trials and anxiety can bring us comfort when we share with a Christian friend. They can acknowledte or identify with our anxieties and reassure us that Jesus is in the boat with us~and He has it all in control.
    Yes, "scary-peace" but peace with a knowledge that He is in control.

    Blessings,
    Janis

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  8. This made me both laugh and cringe..."Times when you're not only listening to the enemy’s lies, you've downright bought a subscription to them?" Sadly, I think I signed up for 2 years! (0:
    But like you, I am..." anxious – but I'm not afraid." God is good!

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  9. I get this, Sharon. I think you described that scary peace so well too. Its like the peace that transcends understanding; I think you are pretty much there. Others around would crumple and fall into anxiety, despair, etc but you have firmly planted yourself on the rock of Jesus and even though there are those moments of anxiety.....you keep coming back to that firm foundation! One can only pray things do settle down for you all so very soon!!

    betty

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  10. Totally understand...and it is so hard to explain. A friend ask about our situation...which doesn't look good, and I said yes, everything points in the wrong direction, but that is okay, I am at peace...I still cry, and I still battle to keep the peace...but it is there, scary peace...the kind that you can't explain. You did an awesome job in explaining. I still wish my body would catch up and relax.

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  11. Hi Sharon,
    Good to be here too,
    A well written piece
    with lot of encouraging words,
    Yes, He still speaks with a small voice even in the midst of all thunderous storm,
    Great and only comforting place to rest in such
    occasions. Yes, do not fear, if He is in your/our boat even in stormy weather peace prevails.
    Thanks for sharing
    will come again to read more
    Keep inform
    Best regards
    phil

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  12. I heard you...you better hide those photos!!! Thanks for always making me laugh more and expanding what I have said in such a wonderful way...your talent shows through with your comments...thanks! You know you could share some of that talent!!

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  13. Hi Sharon,

    I found your post via "Grace Cafe" and I loved how you described "scary peace." Your description of the paradox of God's peace as what sounds like, some very very hard times is so encouraging!

    Thank you so much for sharing!

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  14. That scary peace is beginning to be familiar territory! I'm thinking it's exactly where God WANTS us to be... uncertain, BUT for Him! It's building faith, and developing the character He wants in us. When we have no other choice... we can only say... 'okay Lord!', which is exactly what He wants us to do. :)

    xo

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  15. I totally understand what you're saying here,
    dear Sharon. Scary peace is better than no
    peace at all. But, yeah, we all need to get
    better at handing everything over to God and
    resting in His complete peace. Hope your
    circumstances change quickly and you feel
    totally at peace.

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  16. Hi Sharon:

    Yes, I know exactly what you mean. Even in the midst of storms, we can feel peace. Actually I felt this way was earlier this year when my husband lost his job. Instead of being upset or frantic, I (we both) felt peace. Yes it was scary, but we knew that no matter what happened, we were in God's hands.

    Thanks for linking up today.

    Joan

    PS - How is the hubs?

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  17. God's peace...it's not necessarily the absence of fear or anxiety, but rather the realization that God is with you in the midst of the storm.

    I love this!
    ~Stacy

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  18. I needed a good laugh! Who'd think I'd get a bunch of them! This piece is so amazing -- funny, yet poignant! I'm totally blessed! Yes, I will replace my subscription to the Enemy's lies with some Scary Peace!

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  19. Hi Sharon -

    I much enjoyed this peace (piece.) And your use of the word bedrock relative to faith - oh yes, that deeply stirred my soul, Sharon.

    For sure, JESUS is with us. He adeptly rebukes the winds and calms the seas. - Mark 4 - KJV.

    Oh yes, JESUS says, "Peace be still. It is I, be not afraid..."

    No doubt about it, Sharon -- bedrock indeed!

    Thank you, dear sister in Christ, for this rich message.

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  20. Hi again -

    ...thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. - Psalm 36:8 - KJV

    For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light. - Psalm 36:9 - KJV

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  21. "Times when you're not only listening to the enemy’s lies, you've downright bought a subscription to them?" - Wow.. can we say I have bought the subscription to them lately.. and God keeps reminding me in any way He can about Jesus.. the boat.. the storm.. and Who calms the waves. And here He is again.. reminding me. Thank you for allowing Him to use you as an empty vessel.

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  22. Sending (((U))) Hugs Sharon... but reading this title "Scary Peace"...just did not seem to go together... Now I could write a book (which I often do, once I get started answering your question) so instead I will be short and sweet (unbelievable, huh?) by saying I'd read a great book or two this past summer on "Being Calm in the Storm" BE STILL by Cherie Hill... sit in the back of the boat and just let Jesus calm that storm... I'm clinging to HIS PEACE!

    Peace Be Still...
    Peggy

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"So [I] have been greatly encouraged in the midst of [my] troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives [me] new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. How [I] thank God for you!" (1 Thessalonians 3:7-9)

Thanks for your comments - it is such a joy to be sharing my journey with friends like YOU!

(NOTE: Anonymous comments will be removed. Thank you for understanding.)