What is Peace?

(Thanks to our dear from Larry for the inspiration for today's Powder Room.)

"Peace is not the absence of problems, peace is having adequate resources in one's problems."

This statement I heard by a teacher today made me think of what we truly want when we say we want "Peace". Often, we are more yearning, like David, "Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest." Psalms 55:6. We want to be carried away out of our problems, not strengthened to walk through them.

A life without trouble is not what we have been promised as Christians, and although it sometimes seems sweet to fantasize about what that life would be like, it is a dangerous thing for us to spend much time there. We are called to walk this life, with all it's thorns and snares, and to learn "in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. "

Not only are we called to accept those difficulties, those things we see as trials and troubles in our lives, but the Apostle Paul went so far as to say he "gloried" in them.

"Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong." 2 Corinthians 12:9,10

So when the trouble comes, the trial arises, the thorn begins to rip and tear at our flesh, we can "in every thing give thanks", knowing that "this is the will of God in Christ Jesus" concerning us.

We can thank Him for the very trial, for the situation that will show His strength in our weakness. He is the adequate resources we need for any situation. He is the abundant supply for all our needs. He is that which strengthens and sustains us. We know, too, that we can "do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Just as there is no limit to His supply "according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus", there is no limit to what He can and will do in and through His children who choose to thank Him in the difficulties and trust Him as the provision for problem, the supply for every situation, the answer for every absence.

Avoir confiance en le Seigneur toujours

et L'ayant nous a tout.

Trust in the Lord always,
and having Him, we have all.