Inner Peace in Outer Storms

"Peace"
 (photo taken in Honduras by my Ben)

"O Lord, You are my God...For You have been a defense for the helpless, a defense for the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat..." (Isaiah 25:1,4)

       This morning, as we studied joy in the midst of difficult circumstances from the New Testament book of Philippians, my phone rang three times with "stormy" news - coincidence or opportunity to practice what we preach?  

       In the Pauline epistles, many of which were penned within the confines of a cold, dark prison, the old apostle repeatedly spoke of God's peace and salvation's joy. Five times this man received 39 lashes from the Jews, three times he was beaten with rods, stoned once, shipwrecked thrice, and even bitten by a viper to boot! How in the world were joy and peace possible for Paul through such great pain and tribulation? In the world, joy and peace weren't possible. But instead of in the world, Paul was in Christ, and the very Spirit of Christ was in Paul.

      Every believer receives a deposit of the Holy Spirit, but only those vessels emptied of self and filled with the Spirit of Jesus bear His fruit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control - regardless of the external state of affairs.  

       Want peace? Want joy? Succumb self to the withering power of the Holy Spirit and then ask Him to fill you up to overflowing!

"So be careful how you live. Don't live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don't act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do...be filled with the Holy Spirit." (Eph. 5:15-18)