PEACEFUL STREAMS

Thoughts for Today

Peace? As we watch news reports from around the world, we see strife, turmoil, and uncertainty. When we consider the economic condition of the United States-and the world-we don't gain a sense of peace. In fact, it would be easy to respond in fear. Sometimes when we look at our own family, we feel anything but peace. Bickering, rebellion, failed marriages, overdue bills, sickness.

Often we don't have any control over what is happening around us. And if we focus on those problems or try to fix them ourselves, we will only experience frustration, anger, and a sense of hopelessness-certainly not peace. We can only find peace by following our Shepherd. By focusing on him and his love. By trusting him.

Consider this ...


God doesn't promise to remove all our problems, but he has promised to give us peace as we go through them. How is that possible? By trusting God and not ourselves. By remembering he is our Shepherd. He will take us through the problems and dangers. As we trust him, he will even help us grow through each situation. No matter what is happening around us, we will be able to "rest in green meadows" and walk "beside peaceful streams."

Don\'t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God\'s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV)