Peace Over Everything

First of all, sorry for the long journey away from the blog. Second, what is a desire everyone has? A lot of answers can come to mind with this. My biggest thoughts lately that I wish for everyone is peace. Did you know God calls us to peace?

Recently, my mother gave me a prayer journal she never finished. Her desire is for myself to continue her prayer journal and finish it. After I finish it, she wants to read it. Well, tonight, I came across something I thought should be shared with everyone.

Before I share the scripture God brought to me, I want to update how great God is! My last blog post ended through COVID and my Granny being alive with brain cancer. Unfortunately, Granny is no longer in her human form, but the good news is I know she is perfectly healed, healthy, and watching over me.

So much has happened since 2020... I'm not sure where to start. God has truly showed off. A few milestones between May 2020 and now are: I graduated with a BSBA in Healthcare Management and a MBA in Healthcare Management, I'm getting married next year, I have a job that is God sent and I love it, my sister fought cancer and won, my grandmother has been fighting cancer but one step closer to finishing the battle to raise her adopted babies, and a million other things.

This past year was one of the most challenging, gut-wrenching, hurtful, exhausting years I have ever encountered. It changed me physically, emotionally, spiritually, mentally, and any other way possible. Want to know the most surprising part? I thank God 2024 happened!

Why would I say that after describing how "impossible" the year seemed? The only way I can describe it is God gave me peace that I have needed since my sister, Marissa, passed away.. From 2018 to the end of 2024, I never thought God would give me this peace. It's the peace Jesus talks about.

I'm actually studying scripture about peace as I am typing this blog post. Psalms 29:11 says, "The Lord gives His people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace." I see that as a promise to you and me. He promises strength through all of our circumstances and will BLESS us with PEACE. Is that not crazy amazing in itself?

John 14:27 says, "I am leaving you with a gift- peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So, don't be troubled or afraid." This is telling me that peace is a gift from God. A gift is something you hand off and not expect it back. God gifts us with peace not only in our mind, because the mind can trick us, but the heart too, which can deceive us when we get too much in our feelings.

Romans 5:1 says, "Therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us." So, as I understand it, our faith in God starts to bring peace, because of God's grace and mercy sending His son to take our place on the cross.

What about Romans 12:18? It says, "Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone." Now that one speaks volume.. That can mean apologizing to someone in your church that you argued with, that can be making friends with someone again that you shut out, this can mean forgiving that person that hurt you.. It can also be dismissing your ego and pride. This is one that preaches to me, personally.

There is also Galatians 5:22-23. It shows that one of the Fruits of the Holy Spirit is peace. Love, joy, peace... This is what the Holy Spirit produces in us.

Philippians 4:6-7 says, "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." I see two things here. First, it says to PRAY, and then we will experience God's peace... Secondly, I see heart and mind again in this verse, like in John 14:27. That gift we just talked about..

Last verse of the blog (sad). Colossians 3:15 says, "And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body, you are called to live in peace, and always be thankful." The whole point of why I started writing this was the prayer journal..

We are called to live in peace with each other. Some of the people I am closest to would rather have me reach out to them first. I have tried to make habits of checking in on my friends and their lives. I've learned the real part about choosing to have peace in your life is looking after one another and sharing the grace of God with them.

We pray for our loved ones. We pray over our circumstances and requests, and then guess what? PEACE. Peace that surpasses all understanding and feelings of corruption. We don't stop praying. That's when the peace will leave. Peace starts with God and speaking with Him. But, if we don't have peace with each other, what are we gaining?