one thing that will bring peace…

now i need to say right up front as we look at the topic of peace that peace has nothing to do with problem-free living.  if you have to wait until all your problems are solved to be at peace, you’re never going to be at peace.  because JESUS said, “in the world you will have problems.”  

you’re going to have tribulation – count on it.  peace of mind does not come from conflict-free living.  much of your life you’re going to have conflict.  but did you know you could have peace of mind in the conflict? 

peace of mind is the result of some important decisions you need to make and when you choose these things it will produce peace in your life.  one of the choices is to accept what cannot be changed

worrying about what cannot be changed certainly won’t give you peace.  becoming resentful or bitter about what cannot be changed will certainly not give you peace.  feeling guilty about things that cannot be changed will not give you peace – so you can stop beating yourself over the head.  having self-pity over things that cannot be changed in your life will not give you peace. 

there is only one thing that will bring peace in your life and that is acceptance.  acceptance of what cannot be changed.

in the bible, in the book of 2 samuel 12, there’s the story of king david who had a young baby that was dying and david did everything he could to keep that baby from dying.  he even prayed in the temple for seven days all night long.  he fasted, he wept, he cried, he pleaded with GOD – “GOD!  please save this baby!” and on the seventh day, the baby died.  GOD did not answer his prayer.  i don’t know why.  someday we’ll learn why HE did not answer that prayer but HE had a plan and purpose in it. 

when david’s advisers heard this they were scared to death.  they thought, “this guy’s nearly over the edge with the baby near death.  when he finds out the child has actually died, he may lose it all!”  so they were afraid to tell him.  but david heard them whispering and he said, “has the child died?”  they said yes.  and david got up.  he went and took a bath.  he put on clean clothes.  he ate a big meal.  and he went back to work. 

the advisors were astounded.  they said, “what are you doing?  you were in agony when he was near death.  now that he’s died, you’re ok.  what’s happened?”  david said, “the child has gone to heaven.  and one day i will die and i will be reunited and go to heaven with that child.  in the meantime there’s nothing else i can do.  i’ve got to get back to work.”  he accepted what could not be changed. 

just a thought from the front porch…