30

June

Finding a lake with no storms

“Peace doesn’t come from finding a lake with no storms.  It comes from having Jesus in the boat.”- John Ortberg

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid.”- John 14:27 (NIV)

In Chapter 10 (“Never Worry Alone”) of The Me I Want to Be, John Ortberg states that God wants us to live with bold confidence in His power.  Therefore, with Jesus in the boat, we rest in His non-anxious presence.  Yet, we don’t experience true peace if we fail to venture outside our comfort zones when God calls.

Most importantly, Pastor Ortberg explains, we frequently see this pattern in the Bible.  John writes:

“In the Bible we see a pattern in which God rarely sends people into situations where their comfort level is high.  Rather, He promises to be with them in their fear.  It is God’s presence — not comfortable circumstances — that brings people to the best version of themselves.”

Thus, the peace of Jesus sustains the settled conviction that all things are in God’s hands.  Jesus’ peace runs much deeper than self-help techniques or anxiety reduction.  Also, the Holy Spirit desires to be a non-anxious presence in every life (emphasis John’s).

Furthermore, living in the flow of the Spirit allows God’s perfect love to wash over us until our fear begins to leave.  As the apostle John reminds us in 1 John 4:18 – “There is no fear in love.  But perfect love casts out fear.”

In conclusion, Pastor Ortberg offers a picture of the mind directed by the Holy Spirit:

” . . . for God does not give us a spirit of timidity.  He gives us a mind of life and peace. . . calls himself our Comforter, and he will be our refuge, our rock, our fortress, and our safety.  He longs to watch over us.  Perfect love casts out fear.”

Today’s question: Do you focus on finding a lake with no storms or sitting with Jesus in the boat?  Please share.

Tomorrow’s blog: “Never worry alone – defeating toxic anxiety”

About the author 

Dave Henning

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