"So don't let your hearts be troubled or afraid.”
(John 14:27a New Century Version).
The fires in California continue to burn. The evacuation mandate in my sister’s area lifted; however, others are unable to go home, waiting for updated reports of damage and devastation. There are some people confronted with loss such as our friend whose family’s new home burned. Of course, in the midst of the loss, they are grateful that their lives were spared.
When all is said and done . . . loss is painful . . . loss creates unwanted changes . . . loss results in the need for personal change. I mean . . . let’s be honest . . . it is easier to avoid loss than confront loss. Christ-followers often think loss should not be personally difficult; however, the reality of loss is difficult. Loss is loss for all of humanity. The difference for Christ-followers comes through the awareness of the continual abiding presence of God. The abiding presence of God does not remove the challenge or pain of loss but does change how we manage the process of loss.
Christ Jesus said, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled.” In other words, don’t let anxiety or stress rule the heart but let the peace of Christ into control the heart. In the ancient days, the heart was considered the life-center of self. Accordingly, what we let move into the life-center determines how we manage life.
In the process of life, we will face loss. How we manage loss will be determined if we let anxiety or the peace of Christ to be at the core of our being.
Seek Christ.
Receive the peace of Christ.
Live in the peace of Christ.
Manage life through the peace of Christ.
Learning with you to manage loss through the peace of Christ,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2007 All Rights Reserved)
