Pursuing Peace

 Recently I wrote in my journal, “Weary, the word that describes me right now. Not physically, but emotionally and spiritually.” There had been conflict between me and 2 young ladies I serve at work, and I could not understand why. I questioned myself. What had I done to make them angry? Was there something for which I needed to apologize and take ownership? Was this even about me? I had tried to reach them for answers, but they were not forthcoming. Situations like this wear on us. 

So, I reached for my Bible. In Psalm 63 I found David feeling soul thirsty. He was in a “dry and thirsty land.” His solution was to look to God in His sanctuary and remember His steadfast love. He praised Him and clung to Him. I remembered previous words of encouragement from Isaiah 40, so I flipped over there and again found, “Behold your God!” I read about His amazing power, knowledge, and wisdom. I read how the nations are like a drop in a bucket to Him and that He is still in control and that He never grows weary. And then those familiar words I love from verse 29, “He gives power to the faint and to him who has no might he increases strength…but those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” The notes in my Bible say this, “Renewed is to find endless supplies of fresh strength.” 

“LORD, this is what I need! Endless supplies of fresh strength.” What must I do to get it? Wait. Wait? Yes, wait. 

Wait means “to remain inactive until something happens. Continue as one in expectation. Be in readiness.”

Sit on our laurels, as the old saying goes? No, of course not. We wait by letting Him handle our struggles. We give it to Him and let Him take the lead on what to do next. We allow Him to pave the way so we can respond to life’s challenges in righteousness without running ahead of Him. Trying to control things wears us down. Let Him do what only He can do. 

The next day I found a verse related to these thoughts:

Psalm 34:14, “Turn away from evil and do good, 

seek peace and pursue it.”

When we are not peaceful, we grow weary. That is what had happened to me. I was not at peace with others, and it was exhausting! Of course, I had to look up the definition of peace (looking up words in a modern-day dictionary is a good Bible study habit). 

“Freedom of mind from commotion, annoyance, distraction, anxiety, obsession; 

tranquility; stillness/silence.” 

Peace must be sought. If I want an endless supply of strength, firstly, I must wait on God to act. Secondly, I seek peace. Peace with God. Peace with others. Peace with self. For me, a practical application of pursuing peace is limiting social media. Watching people bicker and degrade one another is not peaceful, and it drains my strength. What does pursuing peace look like for you? Maybe settling a conflict? Are you weary? Wait on God and seek peace.

joyce hague

PS – I did wait on God to pave the way for peace with the 2 young ladies mentioned above. He took the situation in hand and showed me what to do next. We are now at peace, and I am refreshed.