Don't Panic Part 2

Can I be honest? I don't always do well in stressful situations. I remember taking one of my children to get a needle. It took over 30 minutes. I tried the calm method, more realistically, the "I am trying my best to look calm, but I am actually a raving mad man on the inside" method. I didn't know what to do to get my child to calm down and get the needle. Then, little by little, the raving madman started coming out from the inside until finally, the nurse had to calm me down.  

It wasn't a very proud moment.   

My child didn't get the needle that day, but I learned something. After my "episode", I realized that I had something to work on in my life; having peace. 

In John 16:33 (NIV), Jesus said, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." Sometimes we think that life with Jesus is supposed to be trouble-free, but it's not.  

I have learned that how I respond to stressful things, like taking your child for a needle, is a real good indication of how much peace I have. Peace doesn't mean it's easy; it means you trust Jesus' promises more than your feelings.  

There are many different ways to improve at having peace. You can read the Bible, pray, reflect on scripture, remember things to be thankful for. These are all great ways to remind yourself that it will be ok and increase your peace. 

Praying God's peace over your life, 

Charles