Wednesday, July 6, 2011

God’s Voice Communicates Peace—It Doesn’t Leave us Fearful

About six years ago, God led me to leave a lucrative career and commissioned me to do the work of an evangelist!

“You have been spent for many things, but now I want you to be spent for me. I want you to put your hand to my task.” I couldn’t shake the thought from my mind.

God’s peace soothed all of my questions except one; what would my husband think? I knew I needed to talk to Greg and finally worked up my courage.

“Greg, we need to talk.”

“Sure, babe; what’s up?”

“I’ve been praying and feel like God wants me to quit my job.” I winced, waiting to see if he thought I lost my mind.

Greg smiled, “Me too.”

“What? You’re kidding me; really” I replied.

“I’ve known now, for about six months, but waited for God to tell you; I knew if I told you, you might reject the idea.” Greg said grinning, happy I had finally discerned God’s will.

As I look back at that time, I remember thinking of all the changes that lay ahead of us…but the comfort I felt from God as an overwhelming peace covered us and calmed our fears.

So, today’s hint to discern God voice centers on peace; we discern God’s voice from our own, by asking: How does it feel in our "gut"? Does the thought or feeling fill us with peace or unrest?

Even in the face of great danger, peace guards our heart when God speaks. Don’t get me wrong…we may have questions…we may even begin to worry…but as we submit those fears God will cover us with His peace and let us know…”YES. This is the way. Walk in it!”

Isaiah 55:10-12 says, “As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sewer and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace…”

God’s peace always accompanies God’s direction and helps us distinguish His voice from our own. The absence of peace is the absence of God’s direction. Our situations aren’t always pleasant but God’s peace always accompanies His voice.

God moves us in peace. Our voice tends to worry about “the how’s” “the when’s” and “the why’s”. God always leads with peace, emphasizing “I will do it…in just the right time…because I promised to.”

Jesus promised, “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) God’s peace accompanies His voice.

If our message lacks peace or conflicts with the Word of God, it's not His voice. Godly impressions never contradict the Word of God or His character.

8 comments:

  1. I love this post. Great word. May God bless you and your family.

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  2. A HUGE AMen to this Julie . . . I have been amazed that the path God revealed to me seemed overwhelming and fearful . . . it's not the path we choose through human reason . . . but God has given me peace in the journey. It amazes me. I know I shouldn't have peace. The circumstances are unthinkable, but God has told me "this is the way, walk in it." And there is peace beyond all my understanding! He amazes me!
    Blessings,
    Cherie

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  3. Great article Julie! I truly appreciate the value of this message. Next Wednesday on my blog site (A Woman's Voice), I will be sharing it with my readers. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  4. Hi,
    My name is Megan and today I resigned from my former job. I was a teacher in a very low income school. I also had poor administration that was not very supportive. I have spent most of the year overly stressed to the point of not eating and not being myself. Nights and weekends were spent worrying about my job. Often I felt like God was trying to tell me that I was in the wrong place. I prayed all year long for God to show me what to do, and most of all I prayed for peace. I can't tell you how many times I prayed for peace. It got to the point where I was like ok I get your message. So resigned from my teaching job in the low income school and Im hoping to get one where I currently live, but now I'm sitting back and listening for God. I feel like I just gave up all control and said here God do with me what you like. I still have a huge passion for teaching and it brings me tears thinking of my life without teaching. However if God has a different plan then thats what I must do. I'm still trying to figure out which voice is mine and which voice is God's. I did feel that if I stayed with my current job I was listening to my voice, and sadly Ive always felt like I was fighting to have my way. My way of ensuring I had a job to pay the bills. please Im really just hoping for some words of guidance or wisdom you might can shed on my situation. Im nervous, scared, relieved and excited all in one.
    you can email me
    megan_claire0504@yahoo.com
    thanks
    megan

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  5. Great post. I have sent you an email.
    Blessings,
    Jan

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  6. Hi, I just joined your blog and loved today's post. It's so beautiful and so true. I hope you'll join my blog as well. Blessings, BJ

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  7. Dolores suggested this post, and your site, on her blog hop. What a blessing your post was...I'll be following and reading! Bright blessings, Shanyn

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  8. hey its me Megan again. I believe I posted the wrong email its actually megan_claire0504@yahoo.com I had put the letter o instead of the number 0. Sorry I was just looking back at it. So if you dont mind can you resend your email. Thanks megan

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