Finding peace and rest in this frenzied, stressed out world has been my mainstay for the past couple of years. I’ve learned a lot from one of my favorite authors, Graham Cooke, and wanted to share an excerpt from one of his many books, Coming Into Alignment.
The peace of God gives us power to overcome [John 16:33]. In tribulation, there is a place of rest in the Holy Spirit who loves to manifest the peace of Christ and the peace of God that passes all understanding.
We are learning to fight from a place of rest and peace. To not be overwhelmed by fear, anxiety, or panic is a part of our heritage as people of Christ. Rest is a weapon. The enemy cannot penetrate our peace but he can be destroyed by it.
There will always be tribulation in the world. Peace works on us emotionally to create courage.
Peace releases an authority that commands total obedience. Peace makes us vulnerable to the sovereignty of God.
The astonishing truth (one of them) about God is that He can use anything to speak to us and help us. Everything is useful—a storm on a lake, a terrifying demoniac. Even death [John chapter 11] and taxes [Matthew 17:24-27].
His words are challenging. But I have come to believe that even in the madness of this world, we can rest knowing God is working all things together for good. Courage can be found in the midst of fear. Solitude is there in the crowd. Rest is present among deadlines and to-dos. Peace is there for us to access. Be still, a whisper can be heard in the storm.
1 Kings 19:11-12
The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.”
Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.
Soul Unearthed ~ Spirit Renewed 
Good one!! I think most of us are seeking the same thing. I know I am.
Thanks, Aunt Joyce!
You have a gift of writing, Melinda. This post is very well put. My husband and I have been in a challenging situation for the last seven months. And, yet, we have experienced God’s peace amidst the unknowns we are facing. Sure the fear, stress, anger, etc. have their moments of creeping in. But, we find rest and peace in knowing that our God still sits on the throne, and that He has a plan for us, even though, we don’t know what that plan is just yet. Thank you for posting this. It is a great reminder to seek out God’s peace in every situation.
Thank you, Micki. That is so kind of you to say. I pray that you do sense God’s peace through your situation, and I would imagine the plan He has is a great one!