It’s a peaceful morning. My office setting is quiet. I hear a few birds chirping outside my window. I am enjoying Friday morning (it is Friday right?) as leisurely as possible.

Now I would love to tell you that every area of my life is falling into this same status, but it’s not. There are work-related issues that I must deal with. There are family situations that are not perfect. My schedule is full…filled to brim and overflowing to be more precise. I have few a “fires” that need tending.

But here’s the thing. All of what is going on around me shouldn’t cause me to move from my peaceful place. Why? Well let me share a few verses of Scripture that might help you as they have me.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5 – NIV) To remain in Jesus means to spend as much time with Him as possible. Reading Scripture. Prayer time. Just thinking about Jesus throughout the day is part of remaining in Him. When Jesus is the center of my being, I will remain in Him. And because I remain in Jesus, He is able to help me with everything I need to do.

Isaiah 26:3 (NIV) tells us, “You keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.” As our trust in God’s provision and grace grow, we find ourselves in perfect peace mindset. Don’t hold back on trusting God. You can. And when you do, He will do some pretty remarkable things in your life.

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4 – NIV) Praise. Worship. Peace. They go hand-in-hand. When we can learn to praise Jesus always, we’ll find and know and live in peace.

And finally, Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV) will show us that it really doesn’t do any good to be anxious about anything. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Wow! These verses are such an encouragement to me. I pray they are to you as well. As we take our burdens to Jesus (and leave them there), look at what we gain in return. Peace. Guarding of our hearts. Guarding of our minds. How blessed we are in Jesus Christ!

I know, there are times I do get a little stressed and it shows. But when I’m in that situation, these are the verses I need to recall and remember. Perhaps you need to remember them today as well!

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna