Peace Amidst Uncertainty?
Eugene Lui
Can there be peace during uncertainties? We just finished reading the Genesis account of the story of Joseph. Will you have peace if you were thrown into a pit by your brothers and have no idea what may come next? If you were sold to traveling traders and have no idea where you are going and what future is awaiting you? If temptation is within arm’s reach in where you work and live, and you are not sure if your boss would understand your situation? If you were wrongly accused and in prison and didn’t know if justice would prevail?
Peace is trusting God. In my life, peace does not come instantaneously. I have been a Christian for a long time and served Him however I could. But when I was told that I was laid off, my being was shocked. I loved my line of work and my performance always exceeded expectations. I was lost in what the future would hold for a person late in his career. Fear, feeling lost, doubt, and my very identity were all being challenged. There was no peace but much unrest. But God slowly allowed me to see:
His provision…my company gave a very good retirement package
His faithfulness…allowing me more time to serve Him
His loving kindness…via the support of family and brothers & sisters in Christ
Then I came to know that He had a better plan for me than just continuing along my own path with my company. Peace came only after many months of wrestling with God.
Peace is not a packaged state of mind. Peace to me is a long fight that takes all my might. Peace only comes when I finally surrender to God and take up His peace. It is in Jesus’ Words, “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). Then my soul rests. My heart becomes free of turmoil and fear and I am encouraged to walk with Emanuel, God with us.
Reflections:
- What are you going through today? Issues with health? With work? With relationships? With life in general?
- Do you want peace in your life? What is peace to you?
- What would you like Jesus to do at this moment for you?
- Would you pray and ask Him?