Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | November 19, 2025

When It’s Hard To Be Thankful

“Bless the Lord O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.”  Psalm 103:2 (ESV)

It is not always easy to be thankful.

After many years of living across the country from our extended family, we were finally within driving distance, and we could not wait to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with them. We were counting down the days and, in the middle of an extremely difficult season, this was a welcome bright spot. We were giddy with excitement and our cups needed to be filled with hugs, love and a sense of family that we knew was coming.

We were packed up the night before and ready to leave early the morning before Thanksgiving. We wanted every moment we could possibly get with our loved ones. It was a chilly and rainy morning and still dark and quiet as we headed out. We made it about three hours into our drive, and apparently there was a puddle. I hydroplaned. We went up an embankment and through a metal guard rail, where our vehicle flipped over sideways and the rail came through the front passenger window, inches from my mom’s head. My kids were tossed in the back. As we were cut out of the car and firefighters and rescuers arrived to remove us, every one of them repeated the same sentiment-this was a miracle that we all survived with no major injuries.

As a precaution, we were checked out and released. My daughter had a concussion, but thankfully that was all. Then we sat. We sat in the hospital waiting room because I did not know what to do next. We were still several hours from our destination. I did not have money for a rental, I had no one to call, and many places were closed for the holiday. This was our only vehicle, and I could not even bring myself to think about what we would do next, after we figured out how to get home.

We began to pray. One by one things came together. A check I had been waiting for was deposited. One rental place opened, and they had one minivan left. As a bonus it was close enough I could walk there. We were all healthy and free of injuries after what could have been a life altering accident.

As I took care of the details to get us back on the road, I was reminded that even though I was not thankful for these circumstances, I was thankful I had a God who loved me and saw every detail of my life. When I literally had no place else to turn, He was still the God of miracles. I was thankful that the King of Kings and Lord of Lords was invested in my kids way more than I could ever be. I was thankful that He is my Savior and I never have to walk alone. My focus turned to WHO He is. Thankfulness slowly began to flow through me. By the time I walked to the rental place and returned, I was quietly singing praises with the radio and joy was bubbling up from a deep place inside me. A joy I had not had in a very long time.

Not because of my circumstances, but because of Who I serve and Who loves me through them.

I had not realized how caught up I was in my own struggling state of affairs, and I was just going through the motions. There were many other blessings and many other hardships that came out of this accident, but that day, the most important one was that my heart was full of thankfulness for the precious Father I had. I learned that when I focus on Him, my heart is overwhelmingly thankful and circumstances begin to fade into the background.

Happy Thanksgiving, my Friends. Wherever you are, know you are so loved and will never be alone.

“Father, thank you for loving us and teaching us to be thankful because we have You.”

For His Glory

Terrie Tollerson (Follow me @TerrieTollerson on Instagram or check out my website at TerrieTollerson.com)
TRBC Women’s Life

 

Leave a Comment

Posted in Encouragement, Gratitude, Hope

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | November 18, 2025

Hand It Over

“Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10

I’m not a horseback rider. In fact, I’ve been on a horse exactly twice in my life: once as a 12-year-old, which ended in a runaway gallop that threw me, resulting in a cracked tailbone. The second time was with my husband and our two young kids on a trail ride in the mountains of NC—I clearly recall that none of us enjoyed the experience.

All that to say, I was talking with the Lord this morning about some spiritual/mental/physical battles I’m in right now, and the whole horse thing came to mind. See, I’m a control freak. A perfectionist. Those of you who can relate know full well that this character trait comes with quite a bit of negative baggage. Things like hyper-self-examination, self-judgment, self-beratement—even to self-loathing…unfortunately, these responses to not achieving perceived perfection lead only to an effort to gain even more control. Here’s where the horse thing came in.

Trying to beat oneself into submission (that is, to control some aspect—or everything) is like holding onto the reins of a horse too tightly. Sure, pulling back tightly can slow and even stop the huge beast on which you’re riding (perceived control). But when that horse has a mind of its own, so to speak, and it’s moving how and where it wants to (my 12-year-old self can feel the terror of it all), yanking in the reins tighter and more forcefully causes that beast to thrash around, pushing back with its mighty power…revealing the fact that although you think you’re in control, you are absolutely not. In fact, your control-freak efforts are actually endangering you.

Enter the spiritual lesson. The Bible is very clear about the battles of this world (and our enemy who relentlessly prowls around seeking our destruction). We are in a war, we will have tribulation and trouble…but we must take heart, because Jesus has overcome the world (John 16:33)! The Word also tells us that we must cast our cares on the Lord, because He cares for us (Psalm 55:22; Isaiah 41:10; Philippians 4:6-7; 1 Peter 5:7; . We must trust Him, leaning not on our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6). We must surrender—let go of the reins—because He alone is Sovereign and has our good and His glory purposed for our lives (Romans 8:28). Isaiah 46:4 says, “Even to your old age I will be the same, and even to your graying years I will bear you! I have made you, and I will carry you; And I will bear you, and I will rescue you.”

Oh, what promises we have in Christ! As my pastor reminds the congregation often, “You ain’t got this.” Praise God, there is so much in my life—after walking with the Lord for nearly 30 years—that I have surrendered to Him. Facets of myself that have been gloriously and miraculously sanctified…and other areas where I daily submit and follow His lead. Except when I don’t. Sure, there is the prayer, “Lord, I give this to You—Your will, not mine.” I hand over the reins of this thing, this stronghold, this battle…and then I take them back, snatching back what I just dropped, in a futile effort to garner control over that powerful beast. Friend, there is One who has the victory! And in Him, we are also victorious. Why do we still fight for control when He can deliver us with a Word? But even when He does not (because He won’t always deal with situations the way WE want Him to)…even if we continue to be hard-pressed on every side, we will not be crushed (2 Corinthians 4:8)—He will be with us in the fire, drawing us closer to Him.

Beloved, whatever your “thing” is, won’t you join me in handing it over to the Lord? Nothing is too much, too powerful for Him. Let’s give Him our burden and battle, and take on His yoke, because it is easy and light (Matthew 11:28-30)…let’s allow Him to fight for us (remember, He’s already won!), so we can rest.

“Lord, take the reins from me. I trust You—help me trust You in ALL things.

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life

 

Leave a Comment

Posted in Faith, Freedom, Spiritual Living, Success, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | November 17, 2025

His Divine Goodness

“And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!” Psalm 107:22 (ESV)

A celebration of divine goodness – that’s how Webster defines thanksgiving. Grateful hearts acknowledging the favors of Almighty God is how George Washington proclaimed the first thanksgiving. How would you describe thanksgiving?

Is it the picture perfect family gathered together? Perhaps pumpkin pies baking in the oven. Turkeys dressing our tables and gratitude filling our lips. Is it a one day event that ushers in the Christmas shopping season with an extended list of things to do, places to be and gifts to buy? Or is it a chance to watch endless football surrounded by family and friends? Have you ever considered that thanksgiving isn’t just a one day event?

Giving thanks should be a part of the very air we breathe. Waking up in the morning should usher in a deep well of gratitude before feet even touch the floor. Praises should rise from dawn to dusk. Silence should be welcomed moments to reflect on God’s goodness. Blessings should fill our mental checklist and recognizing God’s faithfulness should flow effortlessly.

Wonder what life would be like if we truly celebrated His divine goodness? Mercy giver and gracious Savior. Loving compassionate Father. Loyal dependable Friend. Redeemer of our days. Restorer of our dreams. Holy righteous One.

What would happen if instead of making lists of things to do, we crafted lists of things God has done? Endless gifts poured out and sprinkled over days and days showered by His loving kindness. Divine moments perfectly orchestrated to serve us well. Sweet surprises of hope and encouragement.

What if we looked deep into our hard places and praised Him for lessons learned? Priceless treasures unfolding one by one. Glimpses of gratitude even when darkness hovers around us. Sacrificial praise rising to glorify the One who knows our suffering.

Thanksgiving an opportunity every day to celebrate God’s divine goodness with a grateful heart acknowledging the favors of the Almighty. Praying our hearts never cease to praise Him.

“Father, too many days slip through our fingers without even one simple moment of gratitude. Forgive us for wanting more and seeking more when we are already blessed beyond all measure.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

 

 

Leave a Comment

Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Gratitude, Hope

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | November 14, 2025

Redeemed – No Turning Back

sept-19“But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24 (ESV)

Love the way Paul allowed his past to fuel his future.  He knew who he had been – a prosecutor of Christians.  Yet with the knowledge of his past, he didn’t get lost in the mire of guilt. Instead, Paul allowed His past to propel him further in serving God.  Covered by God’s grace, Paul often humbly reminded us throughout scripture that he was the greatest among sinners.  The truth of who he once was passionately freeing Paul to teach the gospel without reservation or regret. No holding back. No giving up. No clinging to old ways that didn’t serve him well.  Just totally, amazingly redeemed.

Wonder if we ever allow our past to fuel our future?  The ups, downs, failures, victories……the list is endless – our story unraveling every day. So what are we doing with what we know about ourselves and what we know about our God?

Do we shortchange His glory to give our past center stage?  Happens ever so slightly.  We zoom in, magnify and obsess over all the wrongs.  We know we’re cleansed, forgiven and set free but we still cling to unworthy.  Why?  Because we’re hitting replay over and over again until our past story consumes us.  Paralyzed, we focus on what we did versus who He is.

Solution – we need to quit letting our past feed our present and sabotage our future.  When our thoughts drift back to who we once were, we need to claim the cross and watch those thoughts fade away.  When opportunities arise to tell our God story, we need to seize the moment and release the guilt.  When the temptation comes to visit who we once were, we need to boldly, courageous and confidently call upon the name of God.

Living a life without regrets will always be the result of allowing our stories to teach us and propel us into a deeper passion to serve God.  Like Paul, we too can resist the label and humbly accept the audience God places before us.  No holding back. No giving up. No clinging to old ways that didn’t serve us well.  Just totally, amazingly redeemed.

“Father, You have forgiven, cleansed and washed away our sins. Empower us to passionately live the life You have redeemed.

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

1 Comment

Posted in Faith, Hope, Success, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | November 13, 2025

Passive -Aggressive

“And the one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. We know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He gave us.” 1 John 3:24

“Passive-aggressive.” No one likes this descriptor that points to a person who indirectly resists the requests or demands of others (often through snide remarks) for the purpose of avoiding confrontation. In reading 1 John, however, this term came to mind in a completely spiritually reframed way…actually making this a moniker for the mind-blowing, ungraspable, human-vexing mysteries of salvation and sanctification. Buckle up—and get ready for some serious Bible page turning!

Not to dive into millennia-old theological arguments of election versus free will, but the Bible is pretty clear on the God-given words of its writers—and they denote a mystery too big for our puny minds: God chooses us in His Sovereignty—salvation is a gift of grace (Romans 8:29-30; Ephesians 1:3-6; …and we must choose Him—we have responsibility to believe in Jesus as Messiah and Son of God (John 1:12; John 6:37-44). (But even this faith to believe in Him is a gift from God…I know! It’s beyond our grasp!) My point here? Salvation is “passive-aggressive” reframed! It’s “passive” in that it is a gift of God that He initiates, AND it’s “aggressive” in terms of we must take action to believe and receive.

Then there is our sanctification—our walk with the Lord to become more and more like Jesus until we are fully glorified with Him in heaven. Upon our salvation, we are made new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17), BUT we’re still walking around in our fallen flesh, in a broken world, battling against our mortal enemy, Satan. So, we spend our lives being conformed into the likeness of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18). How do we do that? Again, God’s Word is clear: this, too, is a passive-aggressive process. Beloved, the Lord holds us, so salvation is sure. And we persevere in obedience to the Lord and His Word. We put on the things of Christ and take off the things of this world. We live fruity lives. AND we can only live this way, do these things, and live according to the fruit of the Spirit BECAUSE of the power of Him living in us! Our sanctification journey through the world is God’s doing (“passivity” on our part): Romans 8:29-30; Philippians 3:20-21; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 1 Corinthians 1:26-31. AND it is our responsibility to take action (“aggressively” in our dark world!): (Romans 12; Colossians 3:5-17; Ephesians 4; Philippians 3:12-14). The Holy Spirit lives in us at the moment of salvation, so He abides in us permanently (Galatians 2:20)…AND we are called to actively abide in Him (John 15:4).

Beloved, the Christian life is somewhat of a mystery, isn’t it? This passive-aggressive nature of it all. We are saved by grace through faith—it’s a gift. And we must actively accept said gift, this pardon that rescues us from the wrath of God. The Holy Spirit lives in us to empower our new life. And we must yield to Him daily (moment by moment). We can’t understand it all. But we can trust God’s Sovereignty in it!

“Lord, may I simply trust You and obey. And may I recognize that I cannot possibly trust or obey without You and the power of the Holy Spirit living in me.”

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life

 

 

Leave a Comment

Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Hope, Mercy

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | November 12, 2025

Let’s Talk About Grace – Part 3

We have been talking about forgiveness and grace and what God expects of us as His followers. Yes, we are asked to forgive, but we are not asked to forget or stay in hurtful relationships. Did you know He also gives us guidelines to deal with those who continue to display hurtful behavior toward us?

Proverbs 14:7 (NLT) states: “Stay away from fools, for you won’t find knowledge on their lips.” Depending on the relationship, this can be difficult, but it is the advice from King Solomon in Proverbs. If you have asked someone to stop hurting you and they will not listen, God tells us to stay away from them.

Proverbs 18:2 tells us that, “Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions.”  There are some people who will not try to understand how they have hurt you. They only want to talk.

If you have someone in your life who continues to use their words to hurt you, remember Proverbs 12:18, “The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”  If someone continues to be reckless with their words, do not expect them to begin speaking kindly.

When all else fails, Proverbs 22:10 tells us to, “Throw out the mocker, and fighting goes, too. Quarrels and insults will disappear.” Again, God is telling us that if we want to have peace, without fighting, arguing, and insults, we need to walk away from this relationship. It is sometimes easier to think you are working with another believer, but someone who continues this behavior is not walking with the Lord and we are to deal with them as such.

The important thing for us to remember is that when we honor God and His ways, it gives God a chance to work. He has designed these principles for a reason, and it is up to us to trust that He knows best.

Lastly, Proverbs 26:24-25 tells us,

“Don’t answer the foolish arguments of fools, or you will become as foolish as they are. Be sure to answer the foolish arguments of fools, or they will become wise in their own estimation.”

These verses show us that we need God’s wisdom(James 1:5) to know how to answer a fool. There are times when we do not answer their arguments and times when we do, especially in the presence of others when truth needs to be known. We can see these examples in the life of Jesus. He stood silently before King Herod (Luke 23:9), but he answered the Pharisees and shared the truth in front of others who were listening. (John 8:12 is one of many examples.)

The conclusion of Let’s talk about Grace is that forgiveness is required of us, but we do not have to stay in relationships when others continue to hurt us. God gives clear boundary lines to help us. Grace is a precious and expensive gift God offers to each of us. It is never to be used as an excuse for ungodly behavior of any kind. Grace is offered freely when our hearts are repentant because we understand our choices have hurt the heart of God and the heart of others.

“Father, thank You for Your extravagant gift of grace extended to us. Help us to be agents of Your grace and welcome the boundary lines You establish as we engage with others.”

For His Glory

Terrie Tollerson (feel free to follow me @TerrieTollerson or check out my website at TerrieTollerson.com)
TRBC Women’s Life

 

 

 

Leave a Comment

Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Hope, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | November 11, 2025

Take Offense

“Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having belted your waist with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having strapped on your feet the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:13-17

Let’s face it. The world is evil. And we have an enemy prowling around like a lion, seeking to devour us—whose intent is only to steal, kill, and destroy. Therefore, fellow believers, we must stand firm. We must be prepared for the battle…and we must fight. In his letter to the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul states clearly what it means to be a follower of Christ and how to walk in Christ as a husband, wife, child, and/or employee. Then, in chapter 6, verses 10-20, Paul instructs us how to prepare for our war against “powers, world forces of this darkness, and the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” We’re given five defensive pieces of armor: the belt of Truth (Jesus—the Way, the Truth, and the Life); the breastplate of righteousness (our identity in Christ, as He exchanged His righteousness for our unrighteousness); shoes of the Gospel of peace (the gospel enables us to have peace with a Perfect and Holy God); the shield of faith (which protects us from the flaming arrows of the evil one); and the helmet of salvation (mind protection to keep away the lies of the enemy). Every piece of armor is a must-have.

But we also have a weapon that allows us to go on the offense: the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. God’s Word is true, unchanging, a sharp two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12)—and it’s a both a tool to sharpen our own walk and a weapon of discernment in a lying world. And God’s Word heals the brokenhearted, sheds light in darkness, gives comfort and guidance…and, most importantly, God’s Word reveals the eternity-altering path of salvation (Romans 3:23; 6:23; 10:9; 5:1; 8:1; 8:38-39). [Please note, sweet friend, that the Bible is never meant to be used to bludgeon and bloody others. It’s more like a scalpel than a machete!]

In thinking about the Bible as an offensive weapon, though, it struck me with a bit of irony (being the word girl that I am), that God’s Word is also very offensive to an unbelieving world. The Bible itself even talks about this in both the Old Testament and New! In Jeremiah, it’s written, “Behold, the word of the Lord has become for them a rebuke; They take no delight in it” (Jeremiah 6:10). And Paul writes, “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18). But it’s not just unbelievers who get offended. When the Word is used as a mirror or plumbline to assess our own holiness (finding ourselves falling short but seeing the “how-to’s” to progress our sanctification journey), even modern Christians can get triggered. “C’mon, those verses about sex being only for marriage are so outdated,” they say. Or, “That teaching is only relevant for that ignorant culture 2000 years ago—not our science-based, 2025 world.” In fact, whole Christian denominations are taking it upon themselves to redact entire sections of God’s Word that they find offensive so as to better suit the way they want to live.

So, beloved, as we put on the full armor of God to stand firm, know God’s Word so you can take up this beautiful, powerful sword. It is our offensive weapon…and it will be offensive. So, like Paul, again I say, stand firm!

“Lord, help me to persevere against the evil of this world, standing firm in the armor of God and wisely brandishing the sword of the Spirit.”

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life

Leave a Comment

Posted in Faith, Freedom, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Living, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | November 10, 2025

Navigating Hope Filled Limitations

“But I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more.” Psalm 71:14 (ESV)

None of us like limitations, do we? I’m such an independent spirit, so I definitely can default to trying to exceed limitations. However, right now my hurt foot has sidelined me from a lot of my normal life. Totally love long walks in the autumn on leaf covered paths. Absolutely enjoy being outside even if it’s to do yard work. And the gym that’s my fave lunch spot – weights and cardio energize me for the afternoon.

So what’s a girl supposed to do when limitations and restraints are ever present?

The past two weeks, I have to admit left me zeroing in on all the things I couldn’t do. I can’t get those walks in. I can’t do any cardio. I can’t do yardwork. And the things I can do are taking a lot longer than usual. The list was endless. All a bunch of no’s which weren’t serving me well.

A new week, a new perspective this past Monday. I made the decision to head back to the gym and do what I could. No cardio, but I can do weights. No leg weights just upper body lifting. Definitely not my norm but at least I’m doing something. And it’s amazing how releasing some of those limitations has at least given me light at the end of the tunnel.

What about you sweet friend? Are you facing limitations? Is there a normal part of your life that’s no longer doable? Do you feel sidelined from doing the things you love? Has negativity seized control of your thoughts? Are you rehearsing a long list of no’s or I can’ts?

Discouragement can loom large when negativity settles in even if it’s based on reality. It’s in those moments, we have to dig deep and intentionally choose to ask God to show us what we can do rather than settle for all the no’s. The more we focus on what we can’t do, the more discouraged and defeated we become. Yet, the moment we seek God’s perspective and visualize the possibilities, we gain momentum to do what we can. Sometimes that might look like simply getting out of bed and facing another day. Sometimes it might look like creatively figuring out a modified way to get something done. Often it’s simply doing the next thing we can do one step at a time.

Regardless of how we pivot, we must pivot in a hope filled direction. Creating a strategy that lifts our spirits requires constant communication with our God through prayer, worship and solitude (soaking in His presence). Avoiding the enemy’s game plan to focus us on negativity requires that we stay plugged into God’s word. Hope filled scriptures remind us of God’s amazing plans for our lives. Inspiring scriptures unveiling God’s consistent character of how He enabled His people to rise above the obstacles will strengthen and encourage us  to endure disappointments and keep moving forward at God’s pace.

It’s a lesson worth learning  – limitations and restraints may sideline us but they don’t have to steal our joy and peace in the One who infuses us with hope along the way.

“Father, thank You for reminding us that Your loving faithfulness has no limits. Your presence is ever surrounding us. And when life sidelines us, we simply need to pivot and keep our eyes focused on You, our ever present help.”

 

For His Glory

 

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

Leave a Comment

Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Hope

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | November 7, 2025

Inspiring Sisters

cb devo july 24

“When his (Joseph’s) brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.” Genesis 37:4 (NIV)

A simple compliment. A string of praise. All innocent accolades of appreciation. But what happens when we make one person the target of our praise? How do others feel when we overlook their contributions or ignore their positive qualities?

A trip back to Egypt would quickly reveal the twist and turns within a family overshadowed by favoritism. Jacob loved his son, Joseph, more than any of his other eleven children. Unfortunately, the reality of this father’s affection was totally visible to his entire family. Unkind words, hatred and jealousy spiraled out of control as these brothers saw the special way their father treated Joseph. And if you read the rest of the story, you will find Joseph deep in a pit at the mercy of his siblings. Sold into slavery and separated from his family for years, I’m sure Joseph would have traded all those favors for a lifetime with those he loved.

So what’s our take away?

Words of praise and compliments encourage us. Affirmation stirs us to exercise those gifts God has given us. As spiritually mature Christians, we should find great joy in others’ success and express our appreciation freely. But when we get unbalanced in giving praise and choose to show favor to one while excluding others, we fail to foster a climate of growth, unity and love that God desires. As a wise farmer fertilizes his entire crop so it will yield a fruitful harvest, we too should spread our praise so no one is tempted to be stunted by roots of bitterness or jealousy.

“Father, our words and actions have the power to inspire, encourage and uplift others. May we intentionally touch the hearts of everyone you bring into our path.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

Leave a Comment

Posted in Attitude, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Living, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | November 6, 2025

The Gift of Peace

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27 NLT

Peace. Isn’t that the essence of what we all seek? Peace of mind…knowing that we are secure. Eternally secure and also secure in the sense that we can pay our bills, have access to healthcare and can provide for those we love. Peace of heart…knowing that we are loved by God and that we love Him, and that all our important relationships are thriving.

John 14:27 is a significant promise made by Jesus after the Last Supper and before His crucifixion. The NIV translation, my usual go-to, reads: “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.” It is powerful because Jesus knew that His death would leave His disciples both troubled and afraid. He also knew that, later, He would provide the gift of the Holy Spirit to help them overcome their fear and gain true peace. I wonder if the fear and distress they experienced after the crucifixion helped them to later recognize and rely on the power of the Holy Spirit at work in them.

Recently, I read John 14:27 in the New Living Translation, “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” This language caused me to ask myself some questions. Do I always have peace of mind? Do I always have peace of heart? Are there any ways that I am seeking peace from the world—-through my circumstances or relationships—when Jesus said that it cannot be found there? Do I recognize and rely on the power of the Holy Spirit? While my answers to these questions indicate that I am still a work in progress, I am confident of this, that he who began a good work in me will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6).

“Lord, your Word says that You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. (Isaiah 26:3). Help me to trust in You with a steadfast mind when the enemy attacks—seeking to kill, steal and destroy my peace.”

For His Glory

Ann Skalaski
TRBC Women’s Life

Leave a Comment

Posted in Encouragement, Hope, Spiritual Growth

« Newer Posts - Older Posts »

Categories