Good Morning Gorgeous,

It’s a brand new day. A fresh new start.

A new day to rise and run to the arms of Jesus.

The times are confusing, and the trouble around us will attempt to get us to partner with it.

The enemy wants us to believe a wide array of lies about the time we are living in.

He wants to get us to partner with thoughts like:

The world is crumbling.

The church is weakening.

Evil is taking over the good.

We are unsafe.

We have to be afraid of what is to come.

None of those things are true although it may appear that way some days. When everything is falling apart before your eyes, you have an opportunity to exercise faith and look heavenward for your assurity and security.

Nothing that is happening right now is a surprise to God. He knows the unrest and the struggle of the times. And He chose to place you here in this moment in history. He could have placed you in any century. He picked this one. Why?

You’re strong enough for this hour. You have been assigned to this time because you have been designed to spread the truth and hope of God’s Word in this time in history. You have gifts and talents inside of you needed in this day. This is the moment for which you have been created.

Instead of fearing the times, remind your soul, I have been designed for these times. I have what this world needs. I will not shrink back and be silenced. I will break forth and share the hope of Jesus with people who need it most.

While it may look like the world is crumbling, the church is being weakened, evil is taking over, the reality is that there is an unseen battle in the spiritual realm. And all of the unrest and the struggles we see with our eyes are manifestations of unseen forces. And we already KNOW how the battle ends! Jesus triumphs!

This is an incredible time to be strengthened and empowered by the Holy Spirit. He has a dying world to save and He is doing it through the hands and feet and mouths of His people. That’s you!

We, as followers of Jesus Christ, have to be continually running into the arms of our Savior to be filled afresh with peace, hope, love, and joy so that we can go forth and spread what Jesus puts on the inside of us with others.

Our response to the struggles of the day should look drastically different than the world. Our response should be one of peace and assurance that regardless of what is happening that we can see, our King is on the throne. We serve King Jesus and He is holding us, preserving us, empowering us, equipping us, and protecting us so that others see us and desire what we have.

So how do we partner with the truth of God’s Word and hold onto His peace in such struggles?

Paul teaches us how in a letter to the Phillipians Church.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:4‭-‬9 NIV

Paul is teaching us how to receive our peace amidst any situation and also how to keep our peace. And, remember he is teaching to a group of people whose government is killing Christians! If they can achieve peace in the midst of that type of persecution, then we also can achieve peace in our time of adversity.

Paul is teaching how to achieve peace in any situation. He is showing how to get peace in the midst of job loss, division, family struggles, work issues, financial stressors, even trauma and loss.

So how do we claim and keep the peace of Jesus?

1. Worship and rejoice in the Lord. Recognize who He is in your life. He is Lord, Father, Savior, Providor, King, Creator, Sustainer. As you magnify HIM, you realize that He has got you. If you serve the King of the Whole, what is there to fear?

2. Bring every single request to Jesus with sincere thanksgiving and gratitude. Pray earnestly about every struggle, every hardship, every feeling, every need, and every pressing situation. Lay it all down and give it to Him and exchange His light yolk for your heavy one.

3. Use consistent and constant care to think about the truths of God, things that are good and noble and praiseworthy. This is like athletic strength training. The more you do it, the easier it becomes. You have to focus each though back to heaven’s truths. Again and again and again.

Paul is teaching how to achieve and keep the peace available in Jesus Christ through these three instructions. He is speaking to a persecuted church in the first century AD, but every bit of his instructions are still applicable today.

As we partner with the truth of God’s Word, we can elevate our thinking beyond what we SEE to what we KNOW by faith.

Here are a few I am statements to speak back to the fear:

When you feel like things are heading for destruction, remember you are saved!

When you feel scared, remember you have a shelter in Jesus.

When you are frustrated with the times that you are living in, remember you are here on purpose and chosen by God for this time in history.

Friends, the times may be challenging, but you are citizens of another Kingdom! Run to the King again and again and let His peace reign in your heart.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Remind us afresh who we serve. Give us fresh revelation of the love You have for us and the safety we have in You. Lord, remind us that we are here on Holy Assignment. In Jesus’s name, Amen.

Blessings and peace,

Vanessa Lynn