“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

A few years back my wife and I were in the beginning stage of moving our home. I’m sure you’ve all been there at one time or another. It’s unnerving all the planning, the packing, the uncertainty surrounding the details of the place you are leaving, or the anxiety over the place you are trying to go to. All the details distract your mind by day and keep you awake at night. There is an unsettled feeling that surrounds the relocation of your place of residence. Then a dear friend of ours said a prayer for us, saying,

“God, Grant Them Peace In The Process”

This prayer sticks with me to this very day: peace in the process! How often do we go through the circumstances in our lives with anything but peace. Today you may not be moving, but something in your life is eating away at you. Large or small, we carry the burden of our circumstances with fear, anxiety, and trepidation. Then we come to the words of Jesus from John 14:27, “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.” So many times we pray and give our burdens to God, then say amen, then proceed to carry that burden we just prayed over away with us and hold onto it as tightly as we can. Instead why not trust the promise of Christ that He will bring peace to you. Accept His peace, not as the world gives, but as only He can give. Perhaps it’s time for you unpack all the baggage you are carrying around with you and hand it to Jesus. Only this time, after you pray, don’t repack your bags!