“I do not want the peace that passeth understanding. I want the understanding which bringeth peace.” – Helen Keller

“Peace comes not from the absence of trouble, but from the presence of God.” – Alexander Maclaren

Peace is hard to come by in this world.  As we walk through life, problems lurk around every corner.  When one gets solved, another one surfaces.  Often we deal with more than one issue at a time – making things overwhelming and difficult as we try to determine the best way out of each dilemma we face.

If you’re like me, you not only work through current, real life problems, but you create imaginary ones as well – spending all kinds of energy worrying about what MIGHT surface down the road.  It becomes exhausting trying to work through real issues, and at the same time, trying to figure a way out of some potential, hypothetical obstacle you’ve conjured up in your mind.

And if you’re a real basket case (and basket case is my middle name by the way), on top of dealing with current problems and potential imaginary ones, you relive the problems of the past – dwelling on how much they have negatively impacted your life.  In fact, you come to the conclusion that if it weren’t for these pesky, past problems you had to deal with, you probably wouldn’t be facing the ones you are now, or the ones that are sure to arise down the road as a result.

Problems are a lot of work!  They’re labor-intense!  They consume mental energy, drain our strength, and snuff out any hope of a peaceful life.

Often it seems like the only rest or peace we will ever experience will eventually come to us when no more problems exist.  But we know that a life free of complications or tribulations isn’t realistic.  Even Jesus said, “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.” (John 16:33 NLT)

It’s also easy to believe that certain circumstances have a way of eliminating our problems.  Great relationships, abundant finances, or a stress-free profession can seem like the ticket to a peaceful life – but we also know that circumstances change, evolve, and transform over time.  Relationships can sour, money can disappear, and the job can go away, and when you think about it, each of these things (relationships, money, jobs…) can bring about more problems all on their own.

I sat the other night thinking about all the issues in my own life, the energy I exert to address them, the worry and stress I deal with as I face them and the peace and happiness that elude me in the midst of them.  Then all at once, this Scripture came to mind:  

“Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.”  (Hebrews 4:11 NKJV)

I was laboring with my problems instead of laboring to enter into God’s rest.  I was spending my time and energy on problem solving instead of spending time and energy on handing those problems over to God, building my trust in Him, and having faith His grace will supply me with the perfect solution at the perfect time.

It can seem like the easy way out to just hand over our issues to God, but human nature makes it more difficult than we realize.  This is why the Apostle Paul tells us we must “labor” to enter the rest.  We labor to solve all our issues instead of laboring to enter the rest God freely gives us.

So, think for a minute about how you labor with your problems.  Now ask yourself, “How can I spend that time instead laboring to enter God’s rest?”

Let me give you a few examples:

Instead of worrying about how you’re going to pay the bills next month, spend some time and energy reading and reminding yourself about who your God is, the Creator of wealth (Deuteronomy 8:18 and Isaiah 45:7), the Good Shepherd who provides (Psalm 23:1), and the God of grace whose provision is unlimited (1 Timothy 6:17 and Psalm 112:3)

Instead of trying to figure out what direction to head in life – fearful of making a bad decision, make an effort each day to ask God for His wisdom and guidance.  Labor to stay vigilant – waiting and watching for Him to lead you in the right path! (Isaiah 30:21, Psalm 37:23-24, Proverbs 2:6, and Psalm 48:14)

Instead of laboring over the doctor’s grim diagnosis, spend time diligently every day thanking God that He is the Great Physician (Jeremiah 17:14 and Exodus 15:26) and that He alone sustains us (Isaiah 41:10 and Isaiah 46:4).

Instead of fretting over what someone has done to you unjustly, spend time meditating about God’s just and righteous character, how nothing escapes His judgment, and how only He can avenge wrongdoing (Isaiah 46:13, Isaiah 48:22, Jeremiah 17:10, and Hebrews 10:30)

When things look bleak and impossible, labor each day to enter His rest by remembering that all things are possible with God (Jeremiah 32:27 and Matthew 19:26)

Instead of laboring over our problems, let’s spend our energy and time entering the rest of God, focusing on His promises to us, receiving His grace, and seeing truth in the light of who He is! 

It takes effort, strain, and stress to be fearful of the problems we face.  And quite honestly, all the worry and fear in the world can’t turn things around.

It takes just as much effort, diligence, and determination to enter God’s rest – to put into practice our faith in Him.  But when we do, the result is a peace that cannot be described, an assurance that is deeply rooted, and an ease that surpasses all understanding.

Father,

Help us to spend our time and energy focused on you – not our problems, issues, and circumstances.  Give us the strength, wisdom and grace to enter your rest – knowing you are in control of each and every event of life – working all things for good.  Help us to avoid being consumed by fear – concentrating our efforts instead on increasing our faith in you – arriving at a place of rest and peace!

God bless each of you!