pThe peace Jesus gives brings a sense of assurance that no matter what happens, you know ‘it is well with my soul.’ He says to us: ‘My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and…afraid.’ The peace Jesus gives doesn’t depend on conditions and circumstances. It comes from knowing you’re God’s child and that your Father controls the universe, loves you, and can take a bad situation and use it for good. People who’ve been through terrible experiences will often say they wouldn’t give up what they’ve learned from it. The film Soul Surfer tells the true story of Bethany Hamilton. When she was 13, Bethany was surfing when a shark attacked her, biting off her left arm. All through the experience and her recovery, she clung to God and trusted Him, accepting what had happened, and determined it wouldn’t stop her. A few weeks later she was back on her surfboard and entering surfing competitions again. Her story is an amazing testimony of the peace Jesus brings. When bad things happen to us, we can choose to give up, or we can say to God ‘I’m your child, Lord, and You can use any situation for good. Show me how I can use this mess for Your glory.’ Acceptance isn’t always easy, but if you trust God and invite Him into your situation, He’ll help you find peace./p
pWhat Now?br /
Next time something goes wrong for you, whatever it is, don’t fixate on what’s happened. Ask God to show you how you can use it for His Glory, and focus on that instead./p