Finding Peace

Do you have a favorite place that ministers peace to your soul? Years ago, Jim and I had a place we loved to retreat, a pleasant 45-minute drive from our home. What drew us there? Well, there was an expanse of the Pacific Ocean and its never-ceasing surf. We loved to walk along its sandy shore.

After walking on the beach, there was charming sidewalk café beside a large pool that’s fed by a soothing waterfall where we would share a snack. There was also a cascading fountain in the center veranda where we enjoy our sandwich and coffee.

Still Waters

One day while I was thinking about our place, it struck me that water is the common denominator in all we love there. It calms us, inspires us, and moves us to focus on God’s larger plans for us.

As we look at God’s Word and His many provisions for us as His dear sheep, we discover an image of water in Psalm 23:2, “He leads [us] beside the still waters.”

He—the Shepherd—knows all about our need for peace and provides it. He made us, He planned our path, He knows our every challenge, and He provides the peace we need for fulfilling His will for our lives.

Leads—Our Shepherd leads us to the places where peace is plentiful, and He makes sure we attain it.

Still waters—He leads us beside still, restful waters of comfort.

Like the peace that comes from these still waters, you and I enjoy our hidden life with God, the private life we nurture in Him. Unseen by others, you and I are filled by God’s Spirit as we dwell in His presence and drink from His Word. In that holy mist He replenishes our dry souls until we are filled with His goodness.

Steady Stress

We know that we become dry on a steady diet of stress. We quickly become depleted and weary. We stagger, we stumble, we crumble, all because we need time beside still waters. Today, let’s follow God’s lead there. Find a quiet spot, alone, for 5-10 minutes and pray to God, asking Him for His peace. As you move your focus off of the hectic busyness and demands of life, and onto our Good Shepherd, you’ll find you are resting in His presence and peace.

RESPOND:

Dear Lord, Thank You for offering me Your peace. Help me to receive it. Thank You. Amen.

RENEWING RESOURCES:

Elizabeth George Books, Putting on a Gentle and Quiet Spirit

In Putting On a Gentle and Quiet Spirit: 1 Peter, Elizabeth George takes readers through a thought-provoking study of Peter's teachings on handling trials and persecutions.

REFLECT:

What place can I visit that reminds me of God’s peace?

REMEMBER:

Seek to enjoy your hidden life with God.


Leave a comment

Comments will be approved before showing up.

Jim and Elizabeth George

Jim and Elizabeth George are bestselling authors and national speakers dedicated to helping people live a life after God’s own heart. Together, they have written over 150 books with more than 14 million copies sold around the world. For over 35 years, the teachings and steadfast example of Elizabeth and Jim have helped countless men and women:

  • Simplify life by focusing on God’s priorities.
  • Appreciate God’s Word and apply it to everyday situations.
  • Respond to circumstances with confidence by seeing yourself through God’s loving eyes.
  • Increase closeness in marriage by serving and honoring each other.
  • Powerfully shape the hearts of children and teenagers.
  • Enjoy greater intimacy with God.

Learn more about Jim and Elizabeth George here.

Jim and Elizabeth George

Jim and Elizabeth George are bestselling authors and national speakers dedicated to helping people live a life after God’s own heart. Together, they have written over 150 books with more than 14 million copies sold around the world. For over 35 years, the teachings and steadfast example of Elizabeth and Jim have helped countless men and women:

  • Simplify life by focusing on God’s priorities.
  • Appreciate God’s Word and apply it to everyday situations.
  • Respond to circumstances with confidence by seeing yourself through God’s loving eyes.
  • Increase closeness in marriage by serving and honoring each other.
  • Powerfully shape the hearts of children and teenagers.
  • Enjoy greater intimacy with God.

Learn more about Jim and Elizabeth George here.


Also in From Our Hearts

elizabeth-george trusting-God-with-everything
Trusting God With Everything

by Elizabeth George September 03, 2024

Contentment is almost an extinct virtue, yet it is one of the greatest blessings in the world. The Word of God calls us to be content. In fact, Paul shares with us in 1 Timothy 6 that godliness with contentment is great gain and that food and clothing are all we need to be content
Read More
elizabeth-george gods-perfect-peace
God's Perfect Peace

by Elizabeth George August 20, 2024

True spiritual peace comes with knowing that our heav­enly Father is continually with us—and indeed He is! God is omnipresent and therefore fully aware of every detail of our life at every moment and in every place. He knows our needs at all times and in every situation
Read More
Getting to the Heart of God's Word by Elizabeth George
The Heart of God’s Word

by Elizabeth George July 23, 2024

My girls are 13 months apart, which means that during their early years, I often felt like I had twins. I had to really be on my toes-there was little-or-no catching of mistakes I made on the older child so that they wouldn’t be repeated with the younger one. What I was—or wasn’t—doing to love and raise my children was being done to both of them at the same time. 

Read More