There are good things that only come from pain. Sometimes I hate that this is the human experience but we all know it’s true.
We can tell our kids a hundred times it will hurt if they touch a hot stove but it’s only when they get their chubby finger too close and we’re madly running cold water over it that they really understand.
As painful as Dan’s death has been, there has been good that has come from it. I understand things now I know only because of the pain and all that it brought.
One of those is true peace.
Only when we were in the storm of our life, did I really understand peace.
Before, I thought peace happened when everything was running smoothly.
I thought peace was the quiet that comes after all the kids are down for the night or the waveless routine that came with a well-ordered life.
But those things are really calm and calm is not the same thing as peace.
True peace comes even when things don’t run smoothly. Peace doesn’t happen after the storm, when you look around and realize Hey, we made it through. We’re still standing.
True peace happens right in the midst of the storm.
It’s not that peace ignores the storm or walls itself off to all of the pain.
When Dan died, the pain was raw and real, the grief I felt for my children absolutely gut-wrenching. I had real fears and there have been real consequences every single day without a husband and a dad.
So peace doesn’t sugarcoat the circumstances.
Instead, peace comes because God is present right in the midst of the hard. It comes when I give Him my fears and my questions and my pain and I receive His assurance and promise and hope.
Peace comes when I trust God; when I fill up daily on the life He breathes right into the hard. It’s not that the waves stop crashing – they are still there. But they don’t drag me down with them because the hope and promise and Presence is stronger.
It is so not pie in the sky. It’s not a platitude or wishful thinking.
Peace comes when I –
- Replace the lies of my fear with the truth of God’s promises.
- Remember how God has been faithful every single time before.
- Release control of my circumstances and my fretting to God.
- Realize that God’s character can only ever be Love and Faithfulness and Good.
Peace comes because God has taken my hand in His and is madly pouring the water of His life over my hurt.
Then Gideon built an altar there to the LORD and named it The LORD is Peace. Judges 6:24
The LORD is peace.
Not the Lord will bring peace.
Not the Lord will show me peace.
The Lord IS peace. Jehovah Shalom.
I hate the storm that has left our family missing a father and a husband. I hate the storms that I see rocking some of my friends and family.
But I wouldn’t want to give back the good that has come.
I know Jehovah Shalom in a way I never knew him before.
There are some things – good things — that only come when you’ve endured a storm.
There is something about a storm that just puts everything into perspective doesn’t it. We realize that God is ever so near to us. I can’t imagine this storm your family is going through but I do love the vulnerability in your writing and the solid foundation of your faith. What a blessing that is to others! Blessings to you and your family!
http://www.littlelightonahill.com
Yes, Keri. None of us want the storm that’s for sure. But God can use it to bring lessons we’d never otherwise know. <3
You’ve left me pondering all the things that I KNOW have come to me as a result of pain. Sometimes our Father knows that this is the only thing that will teach us the truth that we need. Thanks for saying this with such grace.
Michele, we so want to be rescued from the hard, but God has much for us there.
Peace and rest, the storms in my life, brought me close to reach his peace. My parents passing, it was so hard, I still feel guilty my siblings and I ,making the decisions to pull the plug on both. That was horrible, since my father will still opening his eyes and looking at me. I felt Just horrible for my poor dad. Now, my brother is hit with Cancer, I just spoke with him, he sounds so bad, he can hardly speak. Yet he is too far for me to visit, that is another helpless feeling. I am praying that God will reach my brother in time. I have to trust the Lord, for I know whom I believed ,for he is able to more than I can ever imagine. Thank you Lisa for the hard work you do by pouring yourself out to others to reach His peace.
Oh, ,Virginia, those are really hard places. Praying now for God’s grace.
Lisa, you have had to put feet to your faith. God bless you and your family. Visiting from Kristin’s where I’m parked in #8.
Thank you, Susan.
Thank you, Lisa, for these encouraging truths that real peace is the presence of God in the storm. How He takes our hand in His and pours the water of life over our hurt. Praying God will continue to give you peace in these storms of life. And strength for each day. Hugs!
To you as well, Trudy.
At mass this week, I had a vision of a storm; waves crashing against rocks. It was a bit chaotic and powerful and tumultuous. This post captures the essence of the vision and the pictures are spot-on. Love it when the Lord confirms the prompting with another’s walk. Praying for you, as always, and loving you! pax, amanda
Such wisdom here, Lisa. I love the contrast you’ve painted between peace and calm. “Peace comes because God is present right in the midst of the hard.” I think so many turn from God because they feel like the storm is a sign of His absence, rather than realizing it’s really an opportunity to seek His presence in the midst. As always you’ve shared your heart and pointed us to our Savior. Love it!
This is so well said, Lisa. God is using you to point other to the peace He offers. I will continue to pray for your family.
Loved this! My precious husband suddenly passed away 8 months ago leaving me a widow with three boys under three. I have never felt such a peace that passes all understanding then that day. The Lord is gracious to hold us as we walk through the storms, not keeping us from getting hurt but carrying us through the hurt one step at a time. Thank you for sharing! Blessings to your sweet family!
Brittany ~ we have mutual friends. <3 I've been praying for you. I'd love to talk with you further, in fact, I had a couple of books I had set aside for your family. I'm headed to go read with my daughter but would love to talk with you by email. The Lord is gracious and until the bottom dropped out from under us I would not have understood God's peace and presence.
There is so much beauty in this! I can’t imagine being in your position, and I admire how you are using your situation to draw near to God and uplift others. It’s obvious that you are such a strong woman, with strength that comes straight from God. Thank you so much for your beautiful words!