Baby Steps & Giant Steps

Scripture (Psalm 23:4, NIV):

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Devotional:

These past few days I've not just noticed God - I've felt Him. It was like He wrapped His hands around my heart; His presence wasn't just nearby, it was inside me. I kept getting little confirmations - doors opening on the radio, signs in the sky - like gentle knock-knock answers from Heaven. when you finally hand everything over to Him, it's not a half-hearted feel - it's an all-in kind of peace that settles down deep in your heart. For the first time I'm seeing and feeling Jesus on a level I never had before: present, steady, and real. Maybe it's because I've finally been flipping tables for Him - not for me or my feelings. I will state my feelings, but I always leave the situation with His Word - then there's no argument to be had and I know I'm not leaving a conversation with my feelings, words, or actions. When you learn to release it all to Him, you don't need to have the last word (because you know Exodus 14:14 in this situation).

People are going to block you, people are going to try and make you think that you are crazy, people will hate you (Jesus warns us this in John 15:18-19 and in Matthew 10:22). Let me ask you this, WHO CARES? When you are TRULY living for Jesus and what He wants - you don't care who gets upset with you when you share Jesus' Word with them, you don't care how many likes you get on FB, TikTok, or whatever social media you prefer, you don't care who likes you and who doesn't. It won't matter when you face Jesus come judgement day. When you are truly walking with Jesus whole-heartedly, you do Jesus' work and you move on - ****NEWS FLASH: THIS IS WHAT CHRISTIANS ARE CALLED TO DO - NOT BE LIKED BY THE WORLD!

Philippians 4:7 is all about. When you finally stop holding back and give it ALL to God, He pours out a peace that the world can't fathom or touch! His love is so great, He doesn't just want to fix your problems that you've got going on - He wants to guard your heart. His peace isn't fragile. It's strong enough to hold you steady in the middle of the storm.

God's love is bigger than any mistake I have ever made, deeper than my doubts, and stronger than anything I'm afraid of (which is nothing because He is with me everywhere I go). I've seen that love in these last few days in a way that I will NEVER forget (you should see my journal notes - LOL). I also know this: when His peace shows up, it's His way of saying, "You're safe with Me. Keep trusting Me."

Questions to Consider:

1. How can I remind myself this week that His love IS enough, when I don't have the answers that I am searching for?

2. What is one area I'm still trying to control instead of handing over to Him?

3. Have I ever felt a peace that I couldn't explain? If so, when - and what was happening when it came?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for wrapping Your hands around my life and filling my heart with a peace that makes no sense to the world. Keep speaking to me through small confirmations and the still, soft nudges of Your Spirit. Help me rest in Your presence and walk out of that rest into actions that honor You. In Jesus' name. Amen.