Peace & Focus
We’re months away from adopting a baby from China and it’s been a journey of ups and downs with the wait going from six months to eighteen in a blink of the eye. It hasn’t been easy but despite that I can’t tell you how many people comment on how peaceful or “zen†I am about this whole experience. Let me tell you a secret, if you see me when my focus is on Jesus, I am peaceful but when you catch me with my focus off of Him, I’m a classic basket case.
My favorite example of peace and focus is in Matthew 14:22-36 where Jesus walks on water. Peter is in the boat with the other disciples and Jesus is up on the mountaintop praying. The boat is far from land, the waves are huge and the wind is strong. They are worn out from being at sea all night and Jesus comes walking to them on the water. Note that he doesn’t wait for the waves to calm down, he walks to them and they cry out scared to death thinking it’s a ghost. Jesus tells them not to be afraid, to have courage. Peter asks Jesus, “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.” Jesus says, “Come.†Peter focuses on Jesus and walks on water. The minute he gets distracted by the wind he sinks. Peter cries out, “Lord, save me!†Immediately Jesus is there, reaching out his hand to catch him.
When our focus is on Jesus we can truly have peace but the minute we take the focus off Him and think of our problems, we become stressed out and full of anxiety.
It’s such a simple formula for a stress-free life but then why is it so hard to remember?
Focus on Jesus=peace. Focus off Jesus=anxiety.
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid
Heavenly Father, please put your blinders on us so we can focus on you and not the world around us. We know when we have you in our sight we can truly find peace.
Thank you for putting this in such simple terms. We make it so complicated. I love 1 Peter 5:7 Cast all you anxiety on Him; for He cares for you.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on Peace & Focus this morning. Although I am adoption, but I have a daily situation with driving. If I don’t pray, I totally panic, because of the heavy traffic…
You are right Focus on Jesus=Peace — Focus off Jesus=anxiety.
Blessings on your day and always…
Terri, thanks for sharing! I just read that verse yesterday morning, and wrote it out to share with my young girls. The word about not being afraid is what spoke to me. Thanks for bringing out the simple equation of Jesus = Peace. That is, indeed, what I think the Lord was trying to get through to me. Boy, I can be slow sometimes.
I will lift up your adoption process to Him today. May you see His face in all of this and being a walking example of His peace.
Love,
Elisa
Amen! Terri this is beautiful, and one I am relying on right now while getting my house ready to sell. I need that peace, I need to stay in the word. I am so excited to hear about your adoption, my sister adopted from Russia about a year ago. Such a precious little girl.
Blessings.
You know, despite having listened to teachings many times on that event of Peter walking on the water, I’ve never seen it so clearly before. Thank you, Terri, for giving me a moment to stop and think on it.
Hi Terri,
Welcome and great post. Can’t wait to see you new little one in your arms. 🙂
Terri,
What a great way to tell abouthow trusting in Him makes it all so much easier. Having been thru some trials lately, and learning to simply trust in Him and all will be well keeps me sane.
Love the message.
Love, Wendy
Hi Terri. Congratulations on your getting a monthly post here. I like how this was saturated with good thoughts but short enough to read quickly.
God bless you and keep you as you journey on this road of adoption.
Stay focused! The adoption road for China is long but worth it. I have many friends in the China adoption bloggy world to prove it.
Thanks for the reminder.
Oh yes, right there with you.
Terri, this is wonderful! Nice job. Sorry I’m a little late getting here. You done good!
Blessings to you.