Peace of God

If people were to ask me what has been the hardest thing has been about being here, it would have to be away from family and friends when they need me, and when they are hurting. 
Since I’ve been away something has happened in my family that has caused a lot of pain, one of those situation that make you think I should be there for them, and just recently my best friend had a close family member die and I want so bad to be back there to comfort her physically. 
But I’m not there and its easy to think why God am I here when I need to be there. But I come to a point to realise God has a plan and to trust  him fully is to trust his with everything, including those we love the most and deep down I know that I cant comfort them the way that God can and I cant give them the hope and peace that only he provides. 

And I think if I had been back home when these 2 incidents had happened, it wouldn’t have been my first instinct to pray, I would think they need me, and do what I can to ‘fix’ it or do my part. And then I would think about praying for it too. But being here I know all I can do and the best thing I can do is pray and hand it over to God. and Just to love from here 

Accept his peace. And I hope when I get back to Australia prayer will continue to my first response to everything. And in these situations once I’ve handed of these things to God I found peace and comfort in him, and it’s painful still but I can rest in him. 

The greatest demonstration of faith is rejoicing when it's the last thing we feel like doing. B.J

Through these experiences God has also been teaching me about trust, sometimes I find when God wants to get a message to me he tells me 3 or 4 times in different ways until I get the point. He did this to me last week with Psalm 23. We had a bible study and someone shared about Psalm 23 how we need to trust in God as our Shepherd and put complete trust in him. 

And that when it says vs4, “Even I walk through the darkest valley I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.” And it says we walk, we pass through the darkest valley, we don’t dwell. 

Then a couple of days later I was just sharing my heart with a friend and she started singing this hymn.
The shepherd of my soul
I give you full control
Wherever you may lead, I will go
I have made the choice
To listen to your voice
Wherever you my lead, I will follow.

Be it in the quiet place
Or by the gentle stream
The shepherd of my soul
Is by my side

Should I face the mighty mountains?
Or valleys dark and deep
The shepherd of my soul will be my guide

Then at church the sermon was about Psalm 23!! Seriously I get the point!
The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
He leads me rest in green meadows;
He leads me beside peaceful streams.
He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
Bringing honour to his name.
Even when I walk through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
For you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.
You prepare a feast for me
 In the presence of my enemies
You honour me by anointing my head with oil
My cup overflows with blessings.
Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life
And I will live in the house of the Lord forever.

The sermon was focused on vs3 he renews my strength.... or other translations say he restores my soul. He wants to take out our emotional garbage.
He wants to remove our guilt, comfort us in our grief and replace our grudges.

When hard times come we have a choice, blame God or seek his counsel rest and restoration.
Psalm 27:5
For he will conceal me there when trouble comes;
He will hide me in his sanctuary.
He will place me out of reach on a high rock.

Hillsong – Arms wide open
Take my life, I lay it down
At the cross where I am found
All I have I give you, Oh God

Take my hands and make them clean
Keep my heart in purity
That I may walk in you all have for me

Woah hear I stand arms open wide
Woah I am yours and you are mine, Jesus

Take my moments and my days,
Let each breathe that I take
be ever holy for you, oh God

My whole life is yours
I give it all
Surrender to your name and forever
I will pray have your way!!