An exercise in peace

I know. I have done this too, constantly cataloging my worries. They play through my mind over and over like a checklist of doom, sucking up all the light. Sometimes I write them down to try to get them out of my head and then they are just there on the page, staring up at me, daring me to fix them. 

I can’t.

I know you want to keep shuffling through your list of worries in the hope of somehow making them less worrisome, but let’s just admit that is not working and never will. I offer you something else. 

Do this: Go to a quiet place and read John 14. But don’t just read it. Make a new list. 

Write down all the things Jesus says He is doing for you. Go ahead, just write them down and then say them out loud. Say them like He means them, like a love letter to you. 

You are not abandoned, and He is not hiding. 

I am with you, He says, and I give you My peace. I’m not leaving you. Ever. 

Notice the lack of conditions. He wants us to keep His way, yes, but He does not say, “Keep my commandments and then I will give you My peace.”

Also notice that He says this to His original audience just moments before they enter the darkest night of their lives. Let not your heart be troubled. Neither let it be afraid.

His peace is right there with you, right now. It’s Him. He’s given it already, and it is there for the taking. You have to decide. 

Let not your heart be troubled. 

That list of worries is playing in your head because you allow it to. Maybe we could replace it with this new list instead, this list of peace. His love for us. 

Spoiler alert: here is the new list, in case you can’t get to John 14. (But I still think you should go do this yourself.)

• I go to prepare a place for you. 
• I am coming again to take you to Myself. 
• If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it. 
• I do not leave you orphaned. 
• I come to you. 
• I give you my Spirit to be with you forever. 
• You can see Me, even when the world does not. 
• Because I live, you live. 
• I love you. 
• I make Myself known to you. 
• I make My home with you. 

I give you My peace. 

Remember what happened right after this speech? He went out and proved His love for you by taking your place and conquering death.

You are greatly loved and already provided for. He’s here, wanting to make himself known to you. 

Let not your heart be troubled. 

Neither let it be afraid.