Finding Ultimate Peace
Through God -
Not in the World

Peace in Utter Chaos

       If you were to walk into my house on any given day, you would be bombarded with some pretty crazy things.  With eight children under the age of eighteen all under one roof, chaos is normal here.   With my crazy-busy schedule, I really look forward to days where I have no work, no school, and no worries.  These are days that I spend at home.  I sincerely enjoy these days - and I know that with college classes and high school graduation approaching, I need to appreciate them now before they become even more rare than they already are.       Today was crazy, to put it simply.  My little sister, age 4 months, is teething, which induces non-stop crying.  My little brothers were playing and/or fighting - in boy language, it's all the same.  My little sisters were singing crazy songs about animals and musical instruments at the top of their lungs.  In a word: chaotic.  But I was at peace. 

How to Find Peace

     Why? Why would I find this absolute crazy life peaceful?  My little sister read this bible passage tonight at family devotional:    

"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,  through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.  Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;   perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us."- Romans 5:1-5   

     Peace in God.  That's the secret.  Yes, there is chaos.  Yes, there is hardship.  Yes there is rain and storms in this life that are sometimes so long and hard we don't think we can stand. Ultimately, our peace will never come from this world.

 Our Crazy World

     Look at the events of this week alone in this world:  A man was charged with 24 counts of murder and 116 counts of attempted murder in the Colorado shooting.  620 million people are without power in India.  A man survived a shark attack in Cape Cod, but not before losing both of his legs.  Unrest continues in Syria.  The world will never be able to grant us TRUE peace.
   It is only though Christ that we will ever be able to stay sane in our journey through this world!       
   Even more important than peace in Christ is hardship with Christ.  As Christians, we are able to see that the hardships we face on this earth are strengthening us, and all in preparation for the eternal life to come!
     So, to put into a phrase: No God, No peace.  Know God? Know peace. 

      Lord, strengthen us through the days when peace evades us and we feel as if our world is caving in around us.  Help us to realize Your ultimate peace that you offer through Your Son, Jesus Christ.  Thank you for the opportunities of hardship so that we may grow ever closer to you.  Amen

Questions? Comments? Stories that you'd like to share? By all means, please comment below!

Thank you all for your support.  God bless each and every one of you.

Sincerely,
Chloe M.