Today’s Reflection
GOD HAS ALREADY GIVEN you everything you need to live a whole life—no matter your hurts or wounds. Over the years, I told myself that if I were in good health, had a rewarding job, made good choices as a parent, spent time with people I cared about, and had the right tools for listening to God, I would finally discover God’s peace. Instead, while I am grateful for rewarding and fruitful seasons of life, no latest and greatest item, season, skill, or technique will draw me nearer to God. Getting a good report from the doctor or being out of debt may offer comfort, but they will not foster a relationship with God. By prioritizing time and space with God and learning the ways you best connect with your Creator, you may find you already have everything you need to listen for God.
—Whitney R. Simpson
Holy Listening with Breath, Body, and the Spirit
From page 11 of Holy Listening with Breath, Body, and the Spirit by Whitney R. Simpson. Copyright © 2016 by The Upper Room. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question
When and where do you experience peace? Share your thoughts.
Today’s Scripture
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.
—John 14:27, NRSV
Prayer for the Week
Inhale: Jesus
Exhale: Give me peace.
(A “breath prayer” from author Whitney Simpson). Submit your prayer to The Upper Room Living Prayer Center or share it in the comment section.
Something More
Invite young adults in your community to explore faith through community, conversation, and action at a Journey to the Table event. Learn more.
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.
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12 Comments
I am grateful for the reality of peace in my life…a steady undercurrent – consistently present for almost two years now. This peace came through trials – and I am grateful. “Count it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter trials of various kinds.” I have been thinking a lot about this lately. In the moment of the trial – I did not experience joy. But rather, uncertainty. However, reaffirming my trust in God and surrendering to His will, His way – then the peace became evident, and then I was able to be joyful. Not an emotion, but a lasting gratitude and bolstering of my faith in Him. So, now, as trials continue to come – I believe I get to joy – for the trial – quicker. Because I know He is with me, that He is sovereign, that He will use the situation to His glory – as I trust Him, and surrender my will. There is such sweetness in this – I wish everyone could experience it. For so long I didn’t – and I know how this feels. I am grateful I won’t ever have to feel that way again. Thank You, Father – for this is one of the many transformational miracles You have worked in me.
Prayers for patience for Andrea’s daughter as she awaits the results of her licensure. Continued restoration and soothing for Mary and Molly.
Grateful for my rheumatologist – for her hearing me and for her encouragement to stay active. Our goals align – for me to remain as active as possible. Grateful for dad being encouraged by his GriefShare group. May he continue to be able to express himself and find healing among likeminded souls. Grateful for a solo day trip today. Will be attending an art festival a few hours away. The first one of the season for me, the first one without mom. I think it is going to be ok. Today is to be a warm, pleasant summer day – drying out.
Yes I would have to say we experience peace with God. When we give him control over our life and do things the way that Our father wants us to.
This is my weakness- it is hard for me to truly find peace in my daily life. I strive for this and I try so hard to put all my trust in God but I struggle feeling like I am the one who always has to be in charge. I know in my heart that God will take care of me but daily challenges and constant issues overwhelm me at times and I really struggled to think of when I am totally at peace – even when reading my bible I find my thoughts wandering to what is next…
Help me trust more in you Oh my Lord.
Prayers for all of the people here – especially Marcy and Crystal mentioned several days ago- for Julie and her home life- for Robert and his settling in. Prayers for Jill and Mary who continue to grieve. Prayers for Andrea, Betsy and Connie- there is sunshine here today- a welcome and rare sighting!
Love and blessings to all.
I, like Lou, struggle with this. I know the truth of God being in control in my head, but my heart and soul need to internalize it and draw on this truth. I recite the serenity prayer daily and one line is “trusting that He will make it right if I surrender to His will.” I have a problem trusting any one, but God is not just anyone!
Prayers for Jill and her first solo art show, may she have joy today.
Prayers for Robert and Erich as they move and settle in.
Prayers for Andrea’s daughter, may she pass her first test.
Prayers for Lou and her sunshine which is here also.
Prayers for Mary and her family, may she have joy and blessings.
Prayers for Marcy and her health issues, may she continue to receive oxygen therapy.
Prayers for Connie and wisdom for her doctor’s that a treatment is found.
Prayers, blessings, warm hugs and thank you dear UR family
Thank you everyone for your prayers!
Yes, I’ve got peace and it’s important cause without it I can’t sleep well.
Thank you God for peace, blessings and everyone here!
For so many years I was so busy with work, family, church, etc. that I had no “white space” in my life to reflect on God’s Word, feel His peace, or recognize my Spiritual weaknesses…I just read/skimmed the words on the pages of the Bible and kept going/doing the same thing/ way I always did. I thought, that is the best I can do now and when I have time, I will do something different. I now have those “white spaces” in my day and am using them to connect with God in the moment, to learn from Him and to try to change. When I do this, I feel a wave of peace as my muscles relax and I breathe easy, but it is not easy and I am not always successful at the moment….
As our UR family tells their stories, I relate to many of them and am learning….to identify/name my feelings. I have also become aware that my daily readings speak to me and offer me new thoughts/options. I just finished reading a book that relates to stories and encourages the reader to write the ending to their story….not let someone else write it. A new thought to me in how to understand others was “they are doing their best” (not judge others, as in I don’t think they are doing their best). I am also reading a book that relates to the stories in the Bible and then asks How do I see myself in this story?, What is this story teaching me about myself? So what?
I long to feel the Peace of God at all times and I wish it for each of you too. To You, Lord, I lift Robert and Enrich as they move; Jill, her Dad, and Mary as they go on since the days their parents passed; Julie as she relates to losses in her life and the present situation; Connie and her husband as they await diagnoses; Marcy that she might have oxygen supplied; Lou as she meets the challenges of each day; Betsy and her brother as they deal with his medical issues; Andrea and her daughter during this time of licensure exams; Joyce, Wilbert, Freddie, and all other new-comers to this site.
Blessings.
Thanks April!
May God bless you and your family abundantly!
I always found complete peace in the church sanctuary. Now I find it difficult to attend. Our daily schedule of a couple of years ago has done a complete turn around. That day will come again, I pray.
We see an Oncologist next week and I am apprehensive, to say the least. There is Leukemia on both sides of my husband’s family and his son died of it at an early age. Also recently a cousin’s son. God knows the future and I pray there will be mercy.
Mary, did you see my post about the fish heads”?
Have a great weekend and treasure the minutes.
Oh yes, I went back two days……
Yes, Conny!
I commented it too.
May God’s grace and mercy be upon your husband!
A thousand apologies, Connie!
Typo error. Spelt your name wrongly.
Just don’t call me “late for dinner” HA
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