Peace in the Storm

As I sit here thinking what had happened these past few days, I keep stewing over the same undeniable fact. God is in complete control, and I derive my peace from Him and that. The verse that comes to mind is from the book of John. ​

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” - John 14:27

​This peace as stated here “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:7, will keep us on that solid rock that is Christ Jesus our Lord. 

For those of you who don’t know, a storm that hasn’t been seen in a long time, and was ill prepared for, hit Texas. Many people including us were without power for more than 30 hours. It caused freezing conditions in homes causing an immense amount of damage to many properties. 

Not to mention the deaths that have happened from the cold, the conditions that have happened from COVID, and the inability of the trucks to deliver food to the grocery stores due to road conditions. I’ve seen first hand the chaos at the stores from the mass of people who are doing emergency buying and taking more than they need. All of this has caused a frenzy all over. 

People are fearing for their lives and for the lives of their families. Seeing how the world reacts to this kind of catastrophe, I sit back and see those who have this peace live and react. Either prepared or not, we move with peace and eternity in mind. This is how we should live. This is how we should live. 

No matter if it’s a financial storm, a rain storm, an ice storm, a power outage, a death and yes even a war, God had given us this peace as a gift. He has made His children to be Holy (set apart) from the world and to lead as an example -to lead the people of this world to Jesus. He is the Lord of peace. The King above all kings. 
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In times of sorrow, and in times of struggle. In times of sorrow and pain, He gives us this peace that confounds the wise and the people of this world. Let us not forget that this peace we have, that was given us, can shine like a light to those around us as a beacon of hope to a lost and dying world. Let your light shine and let it shine bright for the Glory or God and the furtherance of the Gospel!  

Jonathan Eckel