April 28

“I leave the gift of peace with you—my peace. Not the kind of fragile peace given by the world, but my perfect peace. Don’t yield to fear or be troubled in your hearts—instead, be courageous.” John 14:27a (TPT)

Jesus walked the earth, fully God, and fully man, experiencing all the stresses, the strife, and the challenges that come with life.  And yet He overcame them all.  He chose to abide daily in communion with His Heavenly Father, Whom He loved so well, and was so well loved by.  When pressures came—He removed Himself from everything else, making it a high priority to be lost and found in the presence of God—the unity of heart and purpose was His strength.  When trials were before Him—beyond what we could ever possibly imagine—He was restored in the fellowship of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, together as One. 
 
Jesus took the cares and anxieties of this world, and looking to things above, He rose above.  He remained in the confidence that God was with Him and for Him, and always would be.  Trusting in the truth that the Holy Spirit, was at work with Him, bringing good from what seemed even the most difficult of circumstances, and causing all things to work according to God’s own sovereign and perfect will.
 
As He was preparing to return to His Father, He lovingly said to those who were journeying with Him then, and who were accustomed to His presence to calm the storms and still the sea, do not be anxious or afraid—I am not leaving you as orphans or abandoning you—for the peace I walked in, I am leaving with you as My gift of love.  They would come to know Him also as the Prince of Peace, the One Who was with them always. 
 
Dear heart, no matter what storm you find yourself in today, however the seas have been tossed up once again, receive this very same gift of peace, given for you, freely, perfectly, overflowing in every way.  Take all of those stirred up situations, and place them in the hands of the One Who knows just what to do.  Then tuck yourself up in the strength of His love, and let Him heal, deliver, and comfort you.  
 
You can give Him all that feels weary and weak, and He will give you joy—strength restoring, heart healing joy—instead!