Strange Peace and Joy

Ever wish you had a “circumstance changing button”?

Where you have something going on in your life, a difficult circumstance, relationship, season, and you’re just ready for it to change. It would be awesome if there was a way to just hit a button and have it be different.

Job not going the way I like? No problem, hit the button.

Friendship bringing a lot of tension to my life? Hit the button.

Marriage is struggling? Button.

Finances stressing me out? Button.

The appeal of a magic button is real, but there are a couple problems with this approach.

First, James 1:2,3 says, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” We don’t want to miss out on that!

Second, there are two passages I want to draw our attention to.

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

1 Peter 1:7-9 So that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Here are the phrases I want us to focus in on.

“the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding”

“rejoice with joy that is inexpressible”

Peace that surpasses all understanding, and joy unspeakable. Or in my words, peace that doesn’t make any sense, and joy we can’t put words to.

So often we want our circumstances to line up in such a way that we feel peace and have joy.

God, wants us to live with Him, on mission, following His lead, walking in the great things He has in store for us… and while we do, He will fill us with a peace that doesn’t line up with our circumstances… a peace when by all outward measure, we shouldn’t have. He will also give us a joy, that by all outward measure, we shouldn’t have.

So although the button would be nice… what He has in store for us, is SO much better!

Daniel Sabo