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| Zoe M. McCarthy |
Have you ever felt guilty after reading Philippians 4:6-7?
You’ve prayed, petitioned, and thanked God and then still feel rattled. You wonder if you’re not sincere enough. And you may wonder why 1 Peter 5:7 seems like it wasn’t meant for you.
You’ve burdened Jesus with your anxieties, but still feel restless.
For me, I’ve learned one major reason anxiety remains. Before I share my revelation, let’s review what Jesus has told us about His peace.
Truth: Jesus possesses the peace we need. When we’re in Him, we can have His peace.
Truth: Jesus gives us divine peace.
I picture Jesus extending to me the special peace found in Him alone, the peace that transcends all understanding. I have a choice. I can receive Jesus’ peace that He holds out to me, or I can ignore it and wonder why I’m still anxious.
Jesus’ peace is right in front of me; I simply must receive it. But I can’t receive Jesus’ peace if I’m determined to obsess over my problem. When I do that, my mind and body have no room for peace, and I’m certainly not actively receiving Jesus’ peace. My problems blot out Jesus standing right in front of me offering His peace. It’s my fault that I’m ignoring Him and His heavenly peace.
When my mind churns like the arms of a drowning person, I remind myself that no one else is responsible for that activity except me. This usually happens when a thorny problem wakes me at night. Now, when this happens, I have a routine. Your routine may be different. But I’m convinced, it’s all about receiving the peace Jesus so freely gives.
Sometimes, I immediately feel Jesus’ peace in my chest. My arms and legs become heavy and still. My mind calms. Other times, when I allow my thoughts to return to the problem, I may say “Jesus, I receive your peace,” a few hundred times, because too many repetitions are said by rote. But as I focus more and more on receiving and taking in Jesus’ peace, His peace manifests and my whole body and mind are at peace.
Let me testify here. Once I receive Jesus’ peace, it’s awesome. Jesus’ peace guards my heart and mind. Sometimes I tingle with it, and sometimes I’m dead still. And I always fall asleep.
In the morning, my spikey problem seems much smaller.
How could you picture Jesus giving you His peace, and then receive it?
A full-time writer and speaker, Zoe M. McCarthy, author of The Invisible Woman in a Red Dress, Gift of the Magpie, and Calculated Risk, writes contemporary Christian romances involving tenderness and humor. Believing opposites distract, Zoe creates heroes and heroines who learn to embrace their differences. When she’s not writing, Zoe enjoys her five grandchildren, teaching Bible studies, leading workshops on writing, knitting and crocheting shawls for a prayer shawl ministry, gardening, and canoeing. She lives with her husband in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Zoe blogs regularly at www.zoemmccarthy.com.
Cooking Up Kisses (Five Sweetly Scrumptious Novellas)
LOVE ON A DARE BY MARY MANNERS
Alana Mulvaney’s life is in a holding pattern. Consumed by day-to-day operations of the family business, Alana has no time for fun or romance. But a little fun and a whole lot of romance is just what Alana’s sisters have in mind when they learn childhood friend Donovan O’Reilly has returned to town.
HUMMINGBIRD KISSES BY DELIA LATHAM
Toni Littlebird believes that when she meets the man God created for her, she’ll know—and she’ll love him in that very moment.
But then Dax Hendrick roars into Hummingbird Hollow on a noisy, crippled Harley, stinking up the air and chasing away her beloved hummingbirds. One look into the intruder’s eyes and her heart sinks. He’s “The One.” She’d been right about knowing, but wrong about something far more important: She will never love this man!
HEARTS ON THE HARBOR BY ROBIN BAYNE
Cara Peyton is content with her life, her trendy Baltimore bookshop is perfect for her. But when her ex turns up to remodel the store, asking for a second chance, she’s torn and unsure about risking her heart again. Can he convince her to trust him, and God, before the job is finished?
HIS VALENTINE PROMISE BY DORA HIERS
Another Valentine’s Day and Quinn Randolph prefers to spend it with her sweet rescue lab. Who needs men and their broken promises? Especially Pierce Karson’s! Years ago, his desertion shattered her. Now he’s trying to steal the property she targeted to expand her florist shop! Pierce only wants to belong…and for Quinn to choose him. His Valentine Promise…
THE INVISIBLE WOMAN IN A RED DRESS BY ZOE M. MCCARTHY
Candace Parks lives a passionless life in Richmond. The computer programmer returns to the empty family home in the Blue Ridge Mountains solely to evaluate her job, faith, and boyfriend. Her high school crush, Trigg Alderman, who barely remembers her, visits his Gram next door. Sorting her life out? How about nothing of the sort!É
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
You’ve prayed, petitioned, and thanked God and then still feel rattled. You wonder if you’re not sincere enough. And you may wonder why 1 Peter 5:7 seems like it wasn’t meant for you.
7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
You’ve burdened Jesus with your anxieties, but still feel restless.
For me, I’ve learned one major reason anxiety remains. Before I share my revelation, let’s review what Jesus has told us about His peace.
33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. ~John 16:33
Truth: Jesus possesses the peace we need. When we’re in Him, we can have His peace.
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. ~John 14:27
Truth: Jesus gives us divine peace.
I picture Jesus extending to me the special peace found in Him alone, the peace that transcends all understanding. I have a choice. I can receive Jesus’ peace that He holds out to me, or I can ignore it and wonder why I’m still anxious.
Jesus’ peace is right in front of me; I simply must receive it. But I can’t receive Jesus’ peace if I’m determined to obsess over my problem. When I do that, my mind and body have no room for peace, and I’m certainly not actively receiving Jesus’ peace. My problems blot out Jesus standing right in front of me offering His peace. It’s my fault that I’m ignoring Him and His heavenly peace.
When my mind churns like the arms of a drowning person, I remind myself that no one else is responsible for that activity except me. This usually happens when a thorny problem wakes me at night. Now, when this happens, I have a routine. Your routine may be different. But I’m convinced, it’s all about receiving the peace Jesus so freely gives.
- I get comfortable,
- take a few cleansing breaths,
- recite slowly the twenty-third psalm, picturing my Shepherd,
- say from my soul, “Jesus, I receive Your peace. I receive Your all-surpassing peace,” and then
- take His peace into my heart and mind.
Sometimes, I immediately feel Jesus’ peace in my chest. My arms and legs become heavy and still. My mind calms. Other times, when I allow my thoughts to return to the problem, I may say “Jesus, I receive your peace,” a few hundred times, because too many repetitions are said by rote. But as I focus more and more on receiving and taking in Jesus’ peace, His peace manifests and my whole body and mind are at peace.
Let me testify here. Once I receive Jesus’ peace, it’s awesome. Jesus’ peace guards my heart and mind. Sometimes I tingle with it, and sometimes I’m dead still. And I always fall asleep.
In the morning, my spikey problem seems much smaller.
How could you picture Jesus giving you His peace, and then receive it?
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| About the Author |
A full-time writer and speaker, Zoe M. McCarthy, author of The Invisible Woman in a Red Dress, Gift of the Magpie, and Calculated Risk, writes contemporary Christian romances involving tenderness and humor. Believing opposites distract, Zoe creates heroes and heroines who learn to embrace their differences. When she’s not writing, Zoe enjoys her five grandchildren, teaching Bible studies, leading workshops on writing, knitting and crocheting shawls for a prayer shawl ministry, gardening, and canoeing. She lives with her husband in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Zoe blogs regularly at www.zoemmccarthy.com.
Cooking Up Kisses (Five Sweetly Scrumptious Novellas)
LOVE ON A DARE BY MARY MANNERS
Alana Mulvaney’s life is in a holding pattern. Consumed by day-to-day operations of the family business, Alana has no time for fun or romance. But a little fun and a whole lot of romance is just what Alana’s sisters have in mind when they learn childhood friend Donovan O’Reilly has returned to town.
HUMMINGBIRD KISSES BY DELIA LATHAM
Toni Littlebird believes that when she meets the man God created for her, she’ll know—and she’ll love him in that very moment.
But then Dax Hendrick roars into Hummingbird Hollow on a noisy, crippled Harley, stinking up the air and chasing away her beloved hummingbirds. One look into the intruder’s eyes and her heart sinks. He’s “The One.” She’d been right about knowing, but wrong about something far more important: She will never love this man!
HEARTS ON THE HARBOR BY ROBIN BAYNE
Cara Peyton is content with her life, her trendy Baltimore bookshop is perfect for her. But when her ex turns up to remodel the store, asking for a second chance, she’s torn and unsure about risking her heart again. Can he convince her to trust him, and God, before the job is finished?
HIS VALENTINE PROMISE BY DORA HIERS
Another Valentine’s Day and Quinn Randolph prefers to spend it with her sweet rescue lab. Who needs men and their broken promises? Especially Pierce Karson’s! Years ago, his desertion shattered her. Now he’s trying to steal the property she targeted to expand her florist shop! Pierce only wants to belong…and for Quinn to choose him. His Valentine Promise…
THE INVISIBLE WOMAN IN A RED DRESS BY ZOE M. MCCARTHY
Candace Parks lives a passionless life in Richmond. The computer programmer returns to the empty family home in the Blue Ridge Mountains solely to evaluate her job, faith, and boyfriend. Her high school crush, Trigg Alderman, who barely remembers her, visits his Gram next door. Sorting her life out? How about nothing of the sort!É
