“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.” (John 14:27 NLT)
What frightens you? Darkness? Aloneness? Silence? Sickness? Personal assault or injury? The list can be very long, but the antidote to every fear is the peace that only Jesus can give.
Often our fears are the loudest “voice” in our heart and mind. We get a raspy voice, and we fear throat cancer; the car has a small rattle, and we conclude the wheels are going to fly off; our child gets in trouble at school, and immediately we fear they’re headed for a life of delinquency. It doesn’t have to make sense. Fear most often doesn’t.
Our individual “plot” thickens as a believer when we have an evil or wrong thought and immediately, we’ve backslidden. We read about or think we know “saints” present or past who seem to be living or have lived “perfect,” sinless lives, so, “why can’t I?” The voice of our heart cries relentlessly: “What am I doing or not doing that I have this relentless, nagging voice dragging me down, constantly criticizing, constantly berating me? Am I really that bad? Does God hate me? Is there an answer? Will I ever find relief or peace?”
In my life as I seek intimacy with my Father, I’m finding the “loudest” voice must become the “softest” or “quietest.” Because my hearing is failing, especially in a noisy environment, it is very difficult to hear. And the more loudly people around me interact, the worse it becomes. So, in order to hear someone with whom I’m speaking, I must literally focus on them – look at them and actively listen to what they’re saying. It’s like that with the Lord. We must learn to let Him be the center and focus of our undivided attention.
My intentionality in focusing on one person, one voice, makes it easier for me to hear them speak. It’s no different with the Lord. When I read His Word I must listen to the context, the individual persons involved (who are the key players in the story?), the environment (what’s going on? What’s the proverbial plot?), what are the questions being asked whether overtly or implied? What is the central message that if I miss, I’ve missed everything?
Even when He’s speaking to me individually apart from His Word, regarding something with which I’m wrestling, I must focus my undivided attention on Him – on listening to His still, small, undetectable by human ears, voice. And I assure you, it doesn’t happen overnight and even with practice, it’s still sometimes difficult.
Ray Majoran (See Peace Like a River – 02-09-25) helps us when he prays: “May the Holy Spirit be the loudest voice in us. Let Your peace not just visit but reign. Rule over our thoughts, our choices, our reactions. If You are our peace, then fear has no home in us (John 14:27). And for that, we are truly grateful.”
Ultimately, either fear or faith/peace will reign in our heart and mind. Which one is up to us. Sometimes when I get nervous at forgetting something I know I should remember, like a name of a friend or family member, my paranoia heightens and I sense fear creeping into my thoughts, I must intentionally choose faith, confidence that I’m exactly where God would have me to be. He is with me and for me and whatever the future holds, he holds me in that future.
Please allow faith to be your loudest voice in dealing with the frightening scenarios with which you deal each day. The truth is, they, for the most part, are out of our control, and, honestly, I would have it no other way. Leaving it in the Lord’s hands gives me all the assurance I need to know I’m secure in Him.
Food for thought.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 