The Path to Peace

I was recently in my living room with a woman and she began to talk about all the problems she has had in her life. I was heartbroken for her. She was a pariah in her own family. She was never thought self-worth in fact just the opposite. She was and is emotionally crippled by her past. She, then asked what was the path to peace in my life. After thinking and reflecting on my own road, I answered, "We have to be committed in the process of healing and only through the Lord and His healing has brought me peace." This world throws obstacles in our path and our goal is to overcome those obstacles. Unfortunately, we live among folks slinging arrows and stones. When you are living through a traumatic experience, it is hard to conceive hope, but hope is there!

What is hope? The expectation of something great or better. The hope is, we don't have to stay there. We do not have to live in the past. We can be made righteous. We are covered with filth and can be made white as snow.

How? By taking all that hurt, bitterness and anger and give it to someone. Take the sack of ugliness, the bag of self deprecation and get it off your back. Take the shame, guilt and indignation. Take it and give it to Jesus!

In John 16:33 Jesus tells us that we will have trouble, but then look at his promise "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."

“Take Heart” He has overcome the world. What does that mean and who is he speaking to and about? Lots of commentaries are written about this. They say Jesus is speaking to the disciples about his death and resurrection. Jesus was trying to prepare them for what was to come.He also gives them a hope and a promise. Despite Jesus' preparation no one could fathom the horrors of the cross, or the amazement of the resurrection. His death and resurrection intertwined... mourning and then joy. Don’t forget that Jesus is also speaking to us. Jesus is confirming, we will experience loss, grief and pain. Then look at what Jesus says, "Take Heart, I have overcome the world." He is assuring us if we believe in Him, even despite our circumstance we can experience joy, trust, love and peace. Peace! Tranquility! Contentment!

It requires us to do something…it requires us to believe in Him, really believe. A belief He can take away those feelings of hurt, anguish, pain. Believe He has already overcome this world. So take Him the hurt you have experienced at the hands of a parent. Take Him the shame of having an abortion. Take Him the guilt of your past sins. Take Him the curses and words uttered in contempt from a spouse. Take Him the addictions binding you. Take Him the scars of abuse. Take Him your worry of the future. Take Him the feeling of unworthiness. Take Him your loneliness. Take Him the sickness. Take Him the doubting heart. Take Him the grief of loss. Take Him the bitterness of divorce. Take Him the anger you are carrying. Take Him the overwhelming pain that you can’t even describe. Give it to Jesus!

Give Jesus everything! Give Him your troubles. Give Jesus all your pain. He says to take His yoke for it is light. Lay it all at His feet and let Him begin to heal you. Let Jesus be the shoulder to lean on. Let Jesus carry you through the storm. Let Him pull you up. He can bring you peace, He can make you whole again!

Jesus has already overcome this world. Let Him overcome your wounds. Let Jesus free you from your past...and start living in hope, start living in His peace and start living the promise!