Peace That Comes Only from God

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Sometimes God stops us in our tracks…for our own good.

I was recently on my knees in prayer…over a situation I have no control.

A situation that was getting the best of me.

I didn’t know what to pray anymore, and I’d moved to just trying to prepare myself for whatever might happen.

While I talked with God, something changed in how I was praying.

“I know what you’re doing here God, and…”

Immediately, I felt God ask me…

Do you know what I’m doing?”

My breath caught sharply, and I thought of the book of Job when God gets fed up with Job and challenges him with a lot of questions. (Job 38-40:2)

Can you make lightning appear and cause it to strike as you direct? Who gives intuition to the heart and instinct to the mind? Job 38:35-36

Is it your wisdom that makes the hawk soar and spread its wings toward the south? Is it at your command that the eagle rises to the heights to make its nest? Job 39:26-27

In an instant, with God’s one question to me I realized what I was doing.

I was claiming to know what God was doing!

And God told me to stop it.

In His gentle, but firm way, He said it was enough.

Suddenly, I knew what I needed to pray for. I confessed and asked for His forgiveness.

The situation didn’t change, and I still had no control over it.

But I felt a peace I hadn’t known moments earlier—peace I couldn’t explain, but knew was from Him.

I’d been fighting off the enemy’s obvious attacks in other ways, but this time, he slipped in unnoticed…into my thoughts and attitude as I prayed.

And God stopped it.

In six words, God got my attention and set me straight again.

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. Psalm 139:23-24

And then He calmed my anxiousness in the way only He can.

Has there been a time in your life when a situation was getting the best of you, and only God could give you peace?

14 Responses to Peace That Comes Only from God
  1. Melanie Wilson
    August 7, 2013 | 5:22 pm

    Laura, we must have the same God, because I’ve had the exact same experience! I constantly have to go to Him to get the peace I need–and the sleep! Thanks for sharing this beautiful post.

  2. Laura Rath
    August 7, 2013 | 6:19 pm

    I’ve had the experience with getting the sleep I need too. God is so awesome! Thanks Melanie!

  3. Barbie
    August 8, 2013 | 2:12 am

    In our current season, I’ve had to continually run into His arms and let His peace wash over me. I can so easily get my eyes off of Him and onto my circumstances. I want to have eyes fixed on His, and be one who walks continually in His peace.

    • Laura Rath
      August 10, 2013 | 10:41 am

      I’m right there with you Barbie! God Bless!

  4. Deb
    August 8, 2013 | 10:35 am

    I often wonder why I ever allow myself to be in the place where I have to run back to His waiting arms. Oh, if I could only learn to give up my stubborn self and simply trust 24/7. I have experienced countless times when He has been my only source of peace. I’m so thankful that He welcomes this wanderer back with open arms every time. Thanks for this precious reminder.

    • Laura Rath
      August 10, 2013 | 10:45 am

      I think sometimes we wander before we even realize we were distracted, but as we learn how this happens, we can get better at seeing the distractions. Thanks Deb!

  5. Joelle
    August 8, 2013 | 3:25 pm

    I’ve had some issues at work lately. God clearly showed me that I can not control the actions of others and how they respond but can only control my heart. I have to have as much grace with them as He has with me. It’s definitely beginning to help me to see that I need to base my life on Him and not on my circumstances.

    • Laura Rath
      August 10, 2013 | 10:50 am

      Hi Joelle,
      I understand what you’re talking about here. I’ve learned that I can’t control others, but I can control my reactions. It’s not easy, by any means, but God gives us the desire to keep trying. Thanks for your comment!
      Blessings,
      Laura

  6. Barb
    August 8, 2013 | 8:00 pm

    Laura, thank you. I haven’t learned to fall to my knees yet. When will I finally let God be at the helm? Your insight is so helpful for me.

    • Laura Rath
      August 10, 2013 | 10:51 am

      Barb, thank you for your kind words. I feel blessed by them. ~Laura

  7. Christine Wright
    August 8, 2013 | 9:41 pm

    Beautiful post, Laura. And my goodness I know that feeling of Him revealing something startling. But when the Creator of the Universe speaks…you know what you must do. : ) (Not that I have I have a perfect track record, of course!!!)

    • Laura Rath
      August 10, 2013 | 10:56 am

      Thank you Christine! The Bible speaks about being glad when we are disciplined by God, but it comes to life when we know we’re experiencing it. Knowing that He loves me so much to correct me…Wow! It’s difficult to even describe the feeling.
      Blessings,
      Laura

  8. Dawn St Amand Paoletta
    August 10, 2013 | 1:14 pm

    Oh, yes- I know that He can set me straight- and grateful for it, too! Thank you for this great reminder of his ability and the importance in praying faithfully trusting Him, without assumptions!

    • Laura Rath
      August 10, 2013 | 2:48 pm

      Thank you Dawn! God bless!