Find P.E.A.C.E. in Hardships
Updated: Jan 25, 2023
Finding peace is not always easy to do when you are facing a challenging situation. So, it's imperative that we keep the right perspectives of them. I hope this message gives you a different perspective of your hardships. For me this kind of P.E.AC.E. represents: Purpose, Encouragement, Acceptance, Clarity, Endurance.
So how do we find this kind of peace in the midst of our hardships?
The Bible tells us in James 1:2-3 NIV "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance."
When we take a step back from our situation and ask God to reveal His lesson in it, we don't always see the answer right away. If that is the case for you right now, I want to encourage you to be patient, keep trusting, and keep putting one foot in front of the other.
He may not reveal His plan immediately, but down the road you will begin to see how God used your situation in various ways. Romans 8:28 NIV says "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
An example for me is when our son died, in my heart I knew God would use that experience in some way but at the time I had no idea how. I had to trust God with the unknown future and as we endured this arduous journey, we accepted our son's death and through that acceptance we began to gain clarity as God revealed His purpose for our lives.
I can look back and see how attending the Bereaved Parents of the USA chapter 24 years ago led me to become a chapter leader, that led me to attending the national conferences. Fast forward 24 years I felt God leading me to do a workshop in 2021 for the Bereaved Parents National Conference. That experience introduced me to the owner of GPS Hope who asked if I would be interested in doing a podcast with her. I will admit I wasn't sure about doing it because I had never done that before, but I trusted God yet again with that experience and was grateful I did. Laura was so gracious and a joy to talk with. We ended up doing two podcasts from the workshop I presented at the National Conference.
Now fast forward to the 2022 Bereaved Parents Conference I met a young couple that explained they came to the conference after hearing my podcasts. I was so surprised to hear this and could never have imagined all this would transpire, but it's proof that when we trust God, He will guide us!
Psalm 32:8 NIV
"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you and watch over you."
Today I want to encourage you to be intentional with how you view your circumstance. Too often we allow our emotions to decide how we will react to a situation without keeping the right perspective of it. If you are operating from your anger or frustration you will struggle, but if you separate your emotions from what is happening you will allow yourself to pause and look at it more objectively. In order to gain a new perspective, we MUST be intentional.
How do we become intentional?
1) Start paying attention to your thoughts and emotions
What are your emotions and thoughts saying to you?
Are your thoughts from God or from the devil?
If you recognize they are negative, you'll immediately know they are not from God which means you need to tell yourself this is Satan, do not believe his lies.
2) Recognize how you respond to difficult challenges
Are you taking a moment to pause and really see or hear what is being said or done? Or are you becoming defensive and reacting based on your emotions?
Be mindful of this because it will help you keep the right perspective
Don't respond to situations when you are angry, you want to avoid regrets later on
3) Immediately pray and ask God to help you
By asking for God's help, you will be able to remain calm and work through your emotions. Remember, emotions are temporary, we should never react when we are upset or angry
Keeping God's perspective of your situation will change your mindset from being a victim to someone who overcomes adversities with perseverance.
Proverbs 14:29 NIV
"A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly."
Isaiah 43:2 NIV "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
Written by: Jill Theriault
Crossroads Coaching - @crossroadscoachingongodstime
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