“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13
Being a Mom and Wife are my favorite jobs –chosen career – highest calling. It isn’t anything like what I dreamed it would be.
Sunny days, veggies growing, children growing healthy and strong, time passing slow- like cool evenings spent rocking sleeping babies. Family vacations with all your children happy and traveling well. Plenty of food, time and money for fun, necessities and charity. Always a home full of laughter and love. Any difficulty would be small and happily cared for by my Mother’s kiss and kind words. Kind encouraging music plays softly in the background morning noon and night. Chores are always done as a team, dinner is three course and on time, Sunday is all about God and family. A family that prayed together stays together. Perfectly peaceful.
I have experienced fleeting moments like this dream in my life, but more often than not my days were like the ones my “Mama told me about”. Then there were some months – years like no one ever dreams. Life threatening illness, financial struggles, deteriorating home, job instability, relational stress, character crisis, children with big questions, death of child, parent and grandparents, spiritual battles at church, home, and within. We all have experience a battle for our peaceful home. Battles that are visible to all and Battles within ourselves and the hearts and minds of our family – loss, lies, fear, worry, infidelity, hurt, idols, brokenness.
Ecclesiastes tells us there is a time for War and a time for peace. Jesus warned his disciples that there would be trouble in this world in John 16:33. We see evidence of the battles all around us and within us. We have heard the adage “When Mama ain’t happy, aint no one happy” or “Happy wife, happy life.” There is a lot of pressure and a lot of clout in those phrases.
HOW do we KEEP THE PEACE? The Bible gives us the wisdom we need for planting peace in our homes. James 3
PRAY continuously – for wisdom, our husbands, children, church, community, schools, teachers etc.
EXAMINE ourselves – heart, soul, mind – tone, priorities, Who is king of our heart? Hubby, Self, Job, Children or God? Confess our sin and fill our hearts and mind with truth and wisdom so peace and joy will quickly follow.
ADJUST our thoughts – yield our will/goals/lists - set our mind on things above – whatever Philippians 4:4-9
COMMIT to Memorizing Scripture – spiritual hymns, songs, scripture – Bible App or marker, journal, note cards
EVALUATE our sincerity -the tone in our home moment by moment
Bottom line is – The Peace that passes understanding is a gift from God, given as we trust in Him and His Truth. Then joy bubbles up when we rest in His Peace. There are many verses about peace and most have joy and truth included. All elude to the gift they are from God, Fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5). Peace is something that starts from within and shows up in how we talk and walk. Peacemakers are so closely attuned to God that they are called His children (matthew 5). Isn’t that what we want for our children as well? Children learn by watching us. Is that what they see in us? Peace is also part of the armor (Ephesians 6) we wear to each of these battles we face. Peace helps us to be sure footed and quick, regardless of our weakness we would be strong in Christ to have peace amidst the minefield of life.
Prince of Peace is our God’s name (Is 9:6). We are reminded in 1 Corinthians 14:33 that God is not a god of disorder but Peace and all His congregation/Family would exude peace as well. Take some time to find a verse or two that you can plant in your heart so when you return to your family you can sow some rows of peace.
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