Tag: Anchored

Peace

adacostauf

“Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you His peace at all times and in every situation.” – 2 Thessalonians 3:16, NLT

This world, it feels like it’s closing in on me at every second. The dreams-dashed there, the heartbreak from losses and grief. The scheming rulers of the world, and everything to do with social media.

It distracts, and it does it’s very best to destroy any and all peace we may have. We get so bombarded with things at every corner. We get told what to do by influencers, then by those around us. Those wanting to give helpful advice, but only ruining the plans and dreams we used to have. We go to those we think we can trust, only to wonder if they’re saying things and giving advice for their own desires, or if it really is genuine.

But peace, what of it? If we watch the news for even a second, it’s disrupted and destroyed. If we give breadth to our worries and entertain our list of tasks and all the things we’ve failed to accomplish, there is no peace to be found.

But what if it’s more than that? What if peace transcends all the circumstances of this world? What if peace, like joy, is supposed to be right there with us, engrained in us, stamped on our hearts, throughout every circumstance in this life?

That we can watch the news, we can hear advice from those we don’t agree with, we can see devastation and disruption and go down the black hole of doom scrolling, we can see the hurricanes develop and the spaghetti models plot and swerve toward us. But what if, in the midst of all of that, we still have peace?

Because… we’re supposed to.

As Christians, it’s our spiritual birthright. When we repent of our sins and accept Jesus into our hearts, we have the Holy Spirit in us. Living inside of us, speaking through us, writing through us, loving through us. And giving us His peace that surpasses all understanding.

Peace, because Jesus has forgiven us for all of our sins. Peace because the Savior of the world knows the plans that He has for us. Peace because “by His wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). Peace because we know that we are just strangers passing through. Peace because the one who lives in us is far greater than anything or anyone in this world. Peace because we know that this isn’t the end. Peace because Heaven is far better and eternity, for those in Christ, is more wonderful than we could ever possibly imagine.

Jesus in us, the Prince of Peace.

This world will always bring storms. The enemy is alive (though he’s been defeated by the resurrection of Christ, and we know how eternity goes for Satan – it does not). But with the little time he has left, he’s doing all he can to steal, kill and destroy. To rob us of peace. He loves nothing more to steal it from Christians and test their faith.

I think that nothing terrifies the enemy more (aside from Jesus), than true followers of Jesus with unwavering faith and unshakable peace. The ones who have God’s Word so embedded in and written on their hearts, that no matter how vile and horrific this world grows, they can’t be shaken or concerned because the circumstance of eternity far outweighs the temporary anger of the world.

It’s the stormy sea surrounded by wind and rain. But when the sun shows and the clouds go away, and the wind stills, it’s calm and clear.

As Christians, we have the Son in us, living in us. Though there are lots of clouds, wind and rain – we need not be affected. Because the one who is Peace dwells in us, forget the outside circumstances of this world. Focus on the Son. Rejoice in the peace that He alone gives.

But what is peace?

Where do you find it?

As Christians, we’re told it’s our spiritual birthright. Something we’re supposed to lay claim to, to hold on to. To have it in the middle of the worst circumstances. To seek it, because we know our Creator.

To be confident in our knowledge of it, so we can rebuke the outside noises of the world.

Peace.

This world seems desperate for it.

Every day we’re hearing about world leaders and how fallen they are. We’re hearing of wars and threats of wars. Of pestilences and plagues. Of people, celebrities, making mistakes. Of wrecks and shootings and other unimaginable tragedies.

Then we turn around and wonder where God is. We’ve removed Him out of schools, banned Him from sporting events, mocked Him as we try to find answers for and explain everything, because it must’ve happened without some grand Designer.

Then we argue for peace. We want wars to stop, but He’s no longer welcomed in our countries. We want violence to stop, but the music and games and movies encourage it and even glorify it.

We’re so consumed with our gains and our desires that we forget to humble ourselves to the one who is over all, living through all and above all.

We kick God to the curb and then blame Him for a world without peace

How to we obtain it? Fight for it? Men search their whole lives for it and wage wars for it. People spend thousands and thousands of dollars on vacations thinking that they’ll finally have a “moment’s peace” there. They move and spend millions of dollars thinking that their new house will give them peace. But maybe it’s true that we’ll never be content running to different places if we can’t find contentment during present circumstances of life.

What is peace? Or who is peace? Can anyone actually have peace that surpasses understanding?

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled neither let it be afraid.” -John 14:27, NKJV

“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart!  I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33, NIV

“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.” – Psalm 4:8, NIV

What if peace, much like joy, is something not based on circumstance, but fully anchored in Christ?

Jesus is the Lord of Peace. The Prince of Peace. The one who gives us peace that surpasses understanding.

He acknowledged that we would have trouble in this world. In fact, it’s a promise. Because this world is fallen. It’s filled with sin, wickedness, turmoil. For as long as Satan is Satan, sin is sin and human nature is prevalent, there will always be disruption and disorder of every kind.

But the good news? The good news is The Good News.

Christians do not have to fear the circumstances of this world. We don’t have to go down the rabbit hole of bad news on reels and other videos, proclaiming toxins in our food, alien abductions and space storms.

Yes, in this world we will have trouble. People in this world will always have trouble. But we serve the Messiah who has overcome the world. The one who promises peace.

The one who stepped into our world to bear our scars, our worries, our sickness an sins. So that we could have a relationship with Him and that we can know Him.

Then He went to the cross so that we might always know peace.

This world will throw everything at us. As Christians, we will continuously be attacked by a very real enemy who comes to steal, kill and destroy. But with Jesus, with knowing Him, with knowing the eternity He died and rose to give us, we can live forever with hope and peace. Because Jesus gives us wisdom. He guides us. He protects us from more things we can ever possibly comprehend. And He is with us always, He knows and He understands what we’re going through.

But Jesus.

This world might be in utter chaos. For those who know His word, this world will only get worse. But we have the secret. We have, and know, the answer. We can live forever in hope and peace because of Jesus. Because “the Coming One will come and not delay.” – Hebrews 10:37-38, NLT

This world is not our home. The circumstances do not define our lives. The verdict on earth does not compare to Christ’s “well done” in Heaven.

We are strangers passing through. But we have the secret: Christ in us, the Hope of Glory – who will see us through all things. He goes before us and stands behind us. Nothing can happen without going through Him.

And He will protect us and keep us safe, all the days of our lies. We just need to focus on Him and fix our eyes on the King of Glory.

Because this is temporary. The peace that we get to hold onto is the promise of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. The Prince of Peace is our Anchor, our Defender, our Protector. So how could we ever let our hearts be troubled or afraid?

“Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow in maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.” – 2 Corinthians 13:11, NLT

I was the storm. Unwilling and unrelenting, I reacted to the skies, the wind above me. I reflected their status. I was luxury when the sun was out and calm when the sky was the perfect shade of blue. But certain clouds would come and I’d splash and grow to a deeper blue in certain spots. Wind would blow and the waves grew higher. Then the wind with the clouds, darker this time, and more blue, then so blue I was almost back – but the waves would lift and white foam would surround and overwhelm.

On the sunny, clear days I would be calm; on the surface and throughout. But with this, with my job to reflect, the outer turmoil failed to compare to what went on inside me. Fish and leviathans rolled about, being splashed from their homes. Corals and other rocks would break apart, my waves rolling them haphazardly onto shore. The boats that took my path with toss and turn, and sometimes wreck.

I reflected what went on around me. And that reflection affected everything in me, the shore surrounding me, and the living things near me.

I reflected the world. The wind, the weather, the rains. Men got sick and worried as they sailed on me, but their thoughts and cries were useless as they could never tame me.

Only the howling wind, only the sun and the clouds.

I was merciless. Lured people in by the clarity, but the outside forces could turn that clarity into a destructive war.

The most powerful, mysterious force. Tales were told about me. I was revered and feared, though people dared to brave my mighty roars.  No man could possibly understand my depths, my darkness and the creatures that lurked within me. No man could possibly understand how to tame the wind and the waves.

Ships would throw anchors, and no matter how strong they thought they were, how secure, the right storm could blow it all away. One harsh wave could wipe them out. Enough jostling and war on the surface would wreak havoc all the way down to their precious anchor and it would be uprooted.

No one could possibly tame this force. No one could. Except the One who spoke me into being. No one except the Creator. My Creator.

I was there in the formless void. I was there in the flood. I was there as He swept up and parted the Red Sea.

And then, years and years and timeless times later there was more rain, wind, and the darkest of clouds. A boat was tossed about, the men on it fearing for their lives. The storm raged, whipping me and therefore their boat all about. My mighty waves crashed and broke over their boat, nearly drowning them.

But then one of them appeared, a new one, in a calmness I had never witnessed before.

“Peace! Be still!”

The wind ceased and the clouds evaporated, and my waves stilled immediately at His words.

There was a great calm, a calm unlike anything I had ever known. Peace. Be still.

I was at peace, I was still. All the way to my very depths.

All the outside forces that had forever affected me; all of the hounding winds, pounding rain which caused the mightiest roar were still.  Were at peace. Finally. All because of Him. Surely, He had to be the Prince of Peace!

“Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.” (VERSE) – 2 Thessalonians 3:16, ESV

People Pleasing

adacostauf

‘It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in people.” – Proverbs 118:8, NLT

It was the underhanded bribe. The smile with manipulation underneath. The feeling of finally, finally, they were pleasing to someone. Someone approved.

Or maybe they were running scared. He was running scared. He knew the Teacher, the one who had become his friend, his brother. His Savior. And though what was happening to Him was so incredibly wrong, he didn’t want his life to be destroyed too. He didn’t want to be persecuted because of their wrong beliefs. So he aimed for pleasing the people surrounding him. Pleasing the crowds nagging him. The mocking voices, so they would no longer mock.

So he lied, he lied and he lied again. Then the rooster crowed.

And though He was persecuted and died a death he didn’t deserve, it wasn’t the end. And the people pleaser would turn into a rock who would be a martyr in the end. Because He was worthy.

“Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety.” – Proverbs 29:25, NLT

I don’t say no very well. If it’s something that scares me, maybe. If it’s something that I know goes against the Bible, it’s very easy to say no.

But when a loved one, a friend, even colleague or acquaintance has an idea, a need, takes control of the plans or tries to make way with their own agenda – that’s when my mouth can’t form the words. Or just word. It’s a simple, “no” -or- “I cannot.” And sometimes, I even find myself offering time, or something, that is not convenient to give.

Part of it is because I hate being rejected, so I feel like I need to please others, so they don’t. I want my image to look good. I want people to like me. I can be passive aggressive, to a fault. I come off as naïve, with a soft-spoken voice and a quiet demeanor. I’m meek. But as my pastor said, meekness isn’t weakness, it’s strength under control. Maybe.

Maybe if I used my quietness and saved my nos, people would believe it when I said no. Maybe people wouldn’t tread so much.

It’s just that, the plans are made without my input. An agenda set that wasn’t in my timing. I said I wanted to go somewhere, but that place was in the future, in my own time. Not…theirs. I love them, but God’s timing, not someone else’s. You should never go somewhere or do something because someone else wants you to if you do not feel peace. Yet don’t lead them on. Say I can’t, or no. That’s the heart of my issue.

You can’t buy your friends, because they end up owning you. You can’t submit to every wish and plan that someone else has. Because in the end, it’s their relationship and their power over you. You were never in it. You were just the happy, pleasant companion that they can bounce all their ideas off of, or put their rants and stress on. It falls on you. If they’re friends with you for their own motives, and not because they genuinely like you, you will always feel stressed out and overwhelmed because it is a toxic relationship. If they bring you stress instead of joy, if they bring you demands instead of actual friendship – they are not your friend.

Satan comes to steal, kill, and destroy. He will use every opportunity he can, even if it’s through people you know, to attack you. When you’re in God’s will, when you’re doing things that shake the kingdom, we have a very real enemy who wants to wage war. Who wants to destroy. He isn’t very subtle. It can seem like a regular motion at first, but in the end, he makes himself known. It’ll be a jab here, a jab there. A random thing happening that is so very bizarre that the only thing you can do is stop and realize that that jab was from your enemy. But the enemy, by the blood of the Lamb, has been defeated. He has no hold on you, no say over your life. He can try to attack, but you have Jesus, the King of Kings, on your side. You have angels guarding you and going to battle for you. There is nothing that Satan can do to stop God’s plan for your life. Job had to face his attacks, he went through so many trials and tribulations, but God, in His mercy, and because He is who He says He is, restored. He restored more and better than Job could’ve ever hoped or imagined. Not because Job or his friends were perfect – far from it. But because God is.

The enemy will use “friendships” against us, and people against us. He came disguised as an angel of light, easy to persuade and trick. But the One who truly is the Light of the World has defeated the enemy. People might feel like they can control your life, manipulate you with their ideas. Recognize what narcissism is. It comes in the form charm, making you feel like the most clever, important person in the world. But then, somewhere in the chaos of the demands and the feeling of being insufficient, you recognize in your spirit you feel stressed after being with that person. The demands come. The stresses multiply. You have saved your nos, but now it’s time to say your no.

If they are your friend, if they are in it because they’re truly for you, then they will understand. But guard against the person who ridicules you, the one who jumps on social media to make complaints because you didn’t kowtow to their wishes. Or test them by their fruit. If they easily criticize others and gossip, and put down on others, know these red flags.

God wants us to be lights to everyone and witnesses, but He’s the Father who, seeing His child in jeopardy and spiritual turmoil, would never leave them there. He’s the Father who steps in and teaches His child to stick up for themselves, but He also defeats the enemy. Justice is His. He pulls us out of harm and sets our feet upon stone. He is the solid rock. Know when the situation feels so overwhelming and the attack so vile that you need to get out, and get out. Stay out. Don’t entertain the enemy. Leave justice in the hands of God, for Jesus is justice Himself. Leave that person, that friendship, in God’s hands. Because He will do everything to protect His children from those that mean harm. If a person is intended to be in your life, they’ll be there.

I catch myself going out of my way to say something that will please someone, while failing to realize that the very thing that would please them would inconvenience me. It would stress me out and become a burden. But I would bear it, for them.

I think I’m doing this good, this pleasing them, and it’s good. But ultimately, it goes against my gut instinct. And well, yes, Jesus realizes our motives and our purpose – He also gives us the Holy Spirit. And the Holy Spirit also speaks to us through instincts, through our emotions. He guides us along His path of life.

So when we feel like we shouldn’t go somewhere or do something, pray. If you don’t feel an absolute peace, pray some more. And if you still do not have peace, let your answer be, “I can’t” or “No.”

You do not owe anything to anyone, and your purpose in this life is to follow Christ. You don’t owe an explanation. Let your no be no and your yes be yes.

It might be frustrating as can be. It might feel like you’re letting the world and everything around you down, and that you’ll be a disappointment. But if the person you are staying “no” truly has the right motives and truly regards your friendship, they will understand.

God will ask us to do hard things, but He will never guide us into doing something that will 1) tempt us 2) give us anxiety 3) be more than we can bare. His yoke is easy, and His burden is light (Matthew 11:30)

When we feel like we’re being asked to do too much, when we feel like we’ve reached our breaking point, but still the demands keep coming – say your no. Pray, and say your no. Where Jesus is, there’s peace and there is safety. Yes, He will pick up and force you out of your comfort zone, He will guide you in His purpose for His glory. But He will never force you to do something that overwhelms you to the point of anxiety, overwhelming desperation, and fear. Fear is not of God. Being bullied and manipulated into doing something, being pressured to the point of stress, is not from Jesus. God is good, and He’s the loving Father who calls us to be bold and courageous (Joshua 1:9). But He also reminds us to take heart, for He has overcome the world (John 16:33)

Remember when the Pharisees made their demands, when people who mocked Him demanded miracles. When Satan demanded He bow.

These people, the enemy…they didn’t realize whom they were speaking to. They made their demands, but Jesus knew their hearts and their motives. He knew His purpose. Sure, it could’ve been easier their way, maybe if He had answered. But His gaze wasn’t fixed on the easy, temporary temptation of fleshly relief; His eyes were fixed on the cross and the empty tomb and eternity for all who call on Him.

The Savior, the one who is eternally good and kind and worthy, didn’t go out of His way to meet the demands of people. He knew truth because He is The Truth. He knew the depths of their hearts. I’m going to assume that Jesus didn’t have stress or feel overwhelmed by the situation because He could see them for what they were, and He was fully Himself. Fully God, fully man. Fully gracious, but fully justice. His mercy knows no bounds, and His justice is life because He is life.

He was the Lamb of God, and He only was here for the approval – for the life, death, sacrifice, and resurrection of one. God. He discernment far beyond what any of us every could. And He conquered the grave so we can have eternity. He saw the hearts of men, but never gave the enemy a foothold. The ultimate one who would bring true love to people wasn’t a sacrificial people-pleaser, He was and is strength and hope and life.

He understood, though. He understood how the crowds can be, how people can sway and manipulate identities. He knows my issues and He sees yours. He knew Peter’s before they happened. That absolute utter fear which led to denial so he would have good standing with the crowd.

Jesus knew, He foresaw, and He forgave.

Peter the people-pleaser became a martyr for his Savior. When Jesus conquered the grave, spreading that Good News became Peter’s identity. No longer needing to please the fallen people of this world, but needing to tell everyone that the Messiah is risen, and Jesus was his identity.

“Our purpose is to please God, not people.” – 1 Thessalonians 2:4, NLT

He told Him he would never deny Him, that he would never walk away. That he would stay by His side as He had with him. Yet He saw things he couldn’t, He understood his weakness more than he could comprehend. Jesus knew the depths of despair, the insecurities that had plagued Simon Peter. In three short years Jesus had took hold Peter’s life, and the lives of all who followed Him, and turned them upside down. Peter was changed. And yet this nature within him, the one of needing to please those around him, to have the approval of others, that stained his very soul.

In the harshest moments of Jesus’ life, when He bore a weight no one could ever possibly comprehend, Peter denied Him. Peter denied Him again. Because Peter was terrified for his own life, terrified of what they would do. When all that should’ve mattered, all that did matter, was what Jesus would do. What He had already done. But I couldn’t see beyond his fear. He couldn’t see beyond what they would do if he didn’t think as they wished.

The rooster crowed, just as He said it would. And Peter wept.

He wasn’t there, didn’t see the ultimate punishment and the hell they put Christ through. He wasn’t there, caught up in his shame and sin, horrified by this separation. He hid from Him, and had lied to save himself. Yet this Man who never did wrong – He truly never did wrong – He was dying. He was on the cross. And He was killed.

Surely, out of all the miracles, He could’ve spoken a word and could’ve been rescued. He fulfilled so many prophecies, so why did it have to end this way?

But what was it the prophets had said? What was it they foretold?

Saturday felt like the longest day in history. Buried in his grief, overwhelmed by his shame and lies.

Yet when Mary came running in, saying the stone had been moved. There was a glimmer of hope. He said He was Life. And the one who is Life couldn’t stay in the tomb, could He?

John outran him, but, out of breath, he let Peter enter first.

The tomb was empty. The linens which had covered Him were there, neatly folded. The tomb was empty. Surely…surely.

Then Peter saw Him, he saw His hands, His feet. He had risen! He had defeated death! Every prophecy foretold He fulfilled. Jesus was risen! He had conquered death. And with it, sin. His sin. His denial. His guilt.

He told Peter he would be His rock. How could Jesus redeem him so? Yet there He was, the perfect sacrifice for the world had somehow chosen him, this lowly fisherman – and chose him to fish for people. With all his fears of needing to please people, all his years of covering his tracks, of feeling as though he wasn’t enough. He still chose him. His forgiveness and mercy knows no bounds. And though he would fall, because he was not perfect, Jesus still made him righteous. Because it was His perfect work at the cross. There would be trials, but there would be joy. There was a priceless inheritance beyond this world, a salvation all through Him. And Peter would tell the world about Jesus.


“But Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather than men.’” – Acts 5:29, ESV