Peace in Any Circumstance

Stressed Less Living... just the name of this book told me it was something I needed.  I often cause undue stress to myself by planning too much or doing too much or not saying no or not knowing how I'm going to keep my yes.

Add that up with Wallace being gone and the end of school and these past couple of weeks have gone by pretty quickly... and I may or may have not have had a couple of mini emotional breakdowns. As in my 10 year old patting me on the back while I said, "Sometimes a woman just needs to cry." We'll understand if he never decides to get married based on his nutcase of a Mama...

This week, though, it is settling down. Wallace has been able to call more and classes are finished.  Caleb is done testing and so there hasnt' been any homework to fight over.  And chapter 5... oh, boy.

It amazes me how we can all be in completely different seasons of life, with completely different circumstances, and a writer can zero in on just what we need to hear.  That shouldn't surprise me, though, because it's a God thing... and that's what I'm hearing from chapter 5. The girls in my online Bible study group are being quiet, and a couple of them have commented back or private messaged me on Facebook and said they are soaking it all in. There's a lot to soak in...

If I had to give you one takeaway, it'd be kind of hard.  My favorite quote from the book, though, is something that I need to remember.  So often, as women, we believe that we can change things... and sometimes, we can. We look for ways to manipulate the circumstances to somehow make it better for our particular viewpoint.  Miles says in her book, "Peace is not a matter of circumstance; it's a matter of the heart.  God can change our circumstances at any time, if He chooses to do so, but He is always more interested in changing us through our circumstances than changing the circumstances themselves."

Get that? Jesus promises peace in every circumstance.  Paul said he had learnt to be content in all circumstances.  It's not just a pipe dream.  It's not just for those in the Bible.  It's for  us, today... peace in any circumstance, because of God's presence.  Allowing God to infiltrate our heart. 

And change us.  Change us, not what we are going through.  He gives us peace for the moment.  And when we get through the end of whatever trial by fire we're going through, we're refined. Changed.  Stronger.  More like Him. 

And better able to meet whatever is thrown our way next.

When Wallace first told me he was going to Texas for 9 weeks, I wasn't real happy.  I thought about all of these military wives who did this on a regular basis, for extended periods of time... but then rationalized that I thought Wallace was done with his playing Army, and it wasn't fair of him to spring this on us.  I thought of Caleb...and of having to do things by myself.  I pouted and wasn't really fun to be around.

And then, the weeks before he left, I hurt.  I cried.  I prayed... and God kept giving me His Word.  Be strong.  I'm with You. I'm Your Rock, Your strong fortress.  I will not leave you. 

And by that second week... peace. While I've still had my moments, I realize that God has a plan.  He's using this to refine me... and maybe to change Wallace a little, too (Not that I don't think he is perfect just the way he is... )

Peace through any circumstance. 

Because His grace is sufficient.