Remain in God’s Perfect Peace

 

Jesus Christ told his followers in John 14:1(NLT), “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.” The beauty of his words in this verse are overwhelming, particularly when we consider the reality that the depth of his unspeakable suffering was very near. In the preceding chapter, he talked about one of his disciples betraying him, and they were all baffled when he spoke of this. Being so close to him, walking and talking with him and being taught the Word of God by him, it must have been hard to swallow that one of their band of brothers had betrayal in his heart. But we know from the scriptures that it was true. Nonetheless, when they heard it from the lips of Jesus, and when he told them that he would soon be leaving them, this was almost too much to process. They looked concerned and anxious. He noticed, because of course he knows our pain inward and outward. Their souls were troubled, and he told them not to let this happen. How tremendously comforting his words are, but we must not forget that the words of our Master are not meant to be a suggestion. They are meant to stabilize us during times of stress so that we will not be overtaken by the enemy’s distractions and his attempts to steal our joy.

Heavenly Father has designed life in such a way that it demands we constantly respond to it. There are only two responses, faith and fear. That’s it. Everything else is an offshoot of those two. They are both powerful realities because they have the power to transport us to totally different territories. One is the territory of God’s love, light, liberty and life. The other is the devil’s territory of doubt, darkness, bondage, and death. Somehow, many have convinced themselves that this is just a way of looking at things and it isn’t real. Many people look at the things in this three-dimensional world to be the reality of all there is. This isn’t representative of the truth. The spiritual realm existed long before anything else, and the spiritual things of God are more real than the things we see with our physical eyes every day. 2Corinthians 4:18(NLT) tells us, “So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.”

God tells us in Psalm 91:1(NLT), “Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” This is where you and I should want to be. We should want to forever remain in the territory of God’s shelter, where we will continually find rest in Him. To do this, He tells us that our minds must be renewed, and our hearts must be changed. He tells us in Philippians 4:6-7(NLT), “6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

Here again, God tells us how to respond and how not to respond. We are not to respond to the issues of life with anxiety and worry. Now, some of us know this but privately we might think to ourselves, “How can I not worry about the things that are going on. The world is a very dangerous and crazy place. None of us know how we’re going to make it from one day to the next.” If you contemplate the origin of this kind of mindset, you will see that we’ve been programmed to think the opposite of faith. Our Heavenly Father is a Great Big Wonderful God who has all power in His hands. He is loving through and through, and He can do anything, yet some of us will not believe in His goodness or His willingness and ability to help us.

Heavenly Father isn’t telling us not to be concerned for others, but He wants us to remember that all help comes from Him. If there is a problem to be solved, He is the One to solve it. Our worrying has no impact or effect on the solution, it simply adds to the negative energy of fear, and this is exactly what the enemy wants. The arrogance of the world tricks many people into believing that their institutions and the people that run them can solve the incredible issues of our day. We need only look around to see that ain’t so.

We shouldn’t feel condemned for worrying, but we should absolutely ask Heavenly Father to arrest our worries with His peace. He tells us to open our mouths and communicate whatever is on our hearts. To get it out and turn it over to Him totally and completely. As we do this, the Holy Spirit that indwells us will flood our hearts with God’s peace. We must always understand that this is a choice, and we are the ones to make it. We decide if we will trust God or if we will be tricked out of the mind of Christ and sink into the depths of despair, anxiety, doubt, and worry.

Jesus Christ gave his life on the cross for our sins. He took our place, because we should have been the ones on that cross. God paid the ultimate price by giving the life of His only begotten Son. The way that you and I demonstrate our gratitude for all He’s done for us through Jesus Christ is through our faith. This is how we partner with God. You and I don’t know the true magnitude of how the power of our faith pleases Him, but we know that something from heaven is released in the earth when we trust God to back His Word.

Isaiah 26:3 tells us that God will keep in perfect peace all those who trust Him and all whose thoughts are fixed on Him. Fixing our thoughts on God’s willingness and ability to solve all problems is the recipe for His peace. He is the One with the solutions, not us. So, let’s not bow to fear, especially during times of uncertainty. There is nothing going on today that our Father does not know. He knew about it for a span of time so long that you and I cannot quantify it. His plan is still moving forward, and nothing will prevent it from doing so. Let’s continue instant in prayer and let the peace of God flood our hearts. There’s not a better thing to do in times like these than to trust Him, and to take comfort and remain in the perfect peace that He offers. ■

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

“Remain in God’s Perfect Peace” written for https://rescuefromdomesticviolence.blogspot.com© 2026. All rights reserved. All praise and honor to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

When It Seems to Be Slipping Away

 

If we’re honest, some of us don’t feel like we’re walking in an abundant life—we feel like we’re trying not to lose what little peace we have left. Something feels off. What once felt strong now feels fragile, like it could slip through our hands if we’re not careful.

Yet Jesus already spoke truth over our lives. In John 10:10 (NKJV), He said, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” That means the life He secured for us isn’t lacking, broken, or barely holding on.

So where’s the disconnect?

It’s not that Jesus failed to provide. And it’s not that the promise lost its power. The real tension is this—while He came to give life, we still have an enemy who is committed to taking it piece by piece. Not always in obvious ways, but through subtle pressure, quiet discouragement, and patterns that slowly drain what God intended to flourish.

The truth is, the abundant life isn’t slipping away because it was never real—it feels that way because we haven’t fully recognized what’s working against us, or how to stand firm in what’s already been given. And until we deal with that honestly, it will always feel like we’re reaching for something that should already be ours.

Where the Loss Begins

The enemy rarely shows up all at once, trying to take everything in a single moment. If he did, we would recognize it immediately and respond with urgency. We would pray with intention, stand on the Word with confidence, and guard what belongs to us without hesitation. But that’s not usually how it happens, because the enemy understands that what is taken slowly is often unnoticed until it has already created distance.

In a lot of cases, the loss begins through small compromises, quiet distractions, and a gradual shift in our focus. The time we spend with Heavenly Father becomes less consistent, not because we’ve rejected Him, but because life feels full and demanding. Our sensitivity to the Holy Spirit isn’t lost overnight, but it can become less sharp when we ignore those gentle promptings or delay our obedience. What once stirred conviction in us may no longer move us in the same way. Over time, what was once alive and active in our soul can begin to feel distant. Not absent—but not as strong, not as steady, and not as influential as it once was.

Scripture reminds us how this process unfolds. James 1:14–15 (NLT) says, “Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.” What begins as something small and manageable can grow into something that slowly pulls us away from the life God intended us to walk in.

Jesus made it clear that the thief comes to steal, and stealing does not always appear aggressive or obvious. It can show up in ways that seem small in the moment—a little peace here, a little clarity there, until our confidence in God’s promises is weakened, or we’re pulling back spiritually and allowing our focus to shift away from the Lord. Left unchecked, these small areas of loss begin to accumulate until we find ourselves in a place we never intended to be, trying to understand how something so valuable began to slip.

That’s why we are warned to stay alert. 1 Peter 5:8 (NLT) says, “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” This isn’t meant to create fear, but awareness—because what we fail to watch, we can unintentionally lose ground in. When we understand how the enemy operates and recognize where we have allowed space for a slow drift in our walk, we position ourselves to respond differently. And that changes everything.

Strengthening What Remains

Even if it feels like something has slipped, that doesn’t mean it’s gone for good. God doesn’t leave us in that place—He calls us to wake up and respond. Revelation 3:2 (NLT) says, “Wake up! Strengthen what little remains, for even what is left is almost dead.” That’s not condemnation—that’s direction. It’s God letting us know there’s still something there worth fighting for, something that can come back to life if we stop ignoring it and start tending to it.

Strengthening what remains is going to require intention. It’s getting back to time with God even when you don’t feel like it. It’s listening when the Holy Spirit nudges you instead of brushing it off. It’s being honest about the areas where you’ve gotten a little too comfortable and a little less guarded. This is where spiritual strength is rebuilt—not in big moments, but in quiet consistency. Galatians 6:9 (NLT) says, “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” That means this isn’t about quick fixes—it’s about consistency that brings real change.

What felt like it was slipping doesn’t have to keep slipping. When you realign, when you get serious again about what God has placed in your hands, things begin to stabilize. Strength returns. Clarity comes back. And you find yourself standing in a place that feels steady again—not because everything is perfect, but because your life is rooted, fruitful, and secure in Him. ■

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

“When It Seems to be Slipping Away”, written by Kim for https://rescuefromdomesticviolence.blogspot.com© 2026. All rights reserved. All praise and honor to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Understanding Real Love

 

Learning the Difference Between Love and Dependence 

Derek had one of the most tender hearts I had ever encountered in a man. I say that because life had already pushed him past what most people would consider a breaking point, yet he never lashed out in anger or spoke with bitterness. Even when he was hurting, there was a gentleness about him that never seemed to leave. But sometimes the greatest lessons about love are not learned in peaceful moments—they are revealed when a relationship begins to fall apart.

By the time Ashley entered his life, Derek was already a man who had learned how to carry pain quietly. He was strikingly handsome in a way that made people look twice—clear eyes, smooth skin that seemed almost unreal in its perfection—but he carried himself with a kind of humility that made it obvious he had never built his identity around his looks. After completing four years in the Army, he had joined the National Guard and was attending training in a nearby town when he met Ashley.

Ashley owned a small hair salon there. She was ambitious, outgoing, and deeply taken with Derek almost from the moment they met. Before long the two of them looked like the kind of couple people admire from a distance—attractive, warm, and seemingly well matched. It was easy to picture a future for them: a home filled with laughter and beautiful children who carried the kindness and humility both of them seemed to possess.

But life has a way of revealing truths we are not always prepared to face. An opportunity came to Derek that could advance his military career in ways he had never expected. It was the kind of opportunity that doesn’t come around twice. Accepting it meant relocating to another state and beginning a completely new chapter of life.

And somewhere in the quiet space where serious decisions are made, Derek realized something that unsettled him deeply. As much as he cared about Ashley, he did not see her as his wife. He did not see their future together. The opportunity stirred hope in him, but telling Ashley the truth felt like the hardest conversation he had ever faced.

The conversation was every bit as painful as he feared it would be. Ashley cried uncontrollably, but in that moment she appeared to accept what he had said. When Derek walked away that evening, he believed he had handled the situation the best way he knew how—honestly and with as much care as possible.

But weeks passed, and it became clear that Ashley was not recovering from the breakup the way Derek had hoped. She called him constantly. She showed up at his job during the day, pleading with him to reconsider. At times she even tried to interfere with the opportunity that required him to move away.

Ashley was asleep to something within herself and didn’t know it. In her mind there was no replacing Derek. Every waking moment felt like sheer panic, and the discomfort was overwhelming. She didn’t realize that her sense of worth had become tangled with Derek’s love, and that losing him felt like losing herself. No other man’s love could be as kind and tender, she thought. Rationalizing that it was worth it, she placed her business in jeopardy and almost lost everything she owned to try and get Derek back.

If we’re honest, many of us have faced moments where our hearts leaned too heavily on another person. When someone walks away and our peace disappears with them, it reveals something important about what we believed that relationship meant to our lives. Those painful moments can become an invitation from God to look deeper within and ask whether we have placed expectations on a person that only the love of Christ was meant to fulfill.

Ashley was desperate for love, but desperation is often the result of not fully knowing God’s love. When the heart does not rest in the love of God, it will look for someone else to fill that space. Ashley believed Derek was her everything, and this is a dangerous lie many people quietly accept. No human being was ever meant to carry that weight. Only Jesus Christ can occupy that place in our hearts. The apostle John reminds us in 1 John 4:19 (NLT), “We love each other because he loved us first.” When we understand that Christ’s love for us is complete and unshakable, we are no longer driven by fear, desperation, or the need for another person to validate our worth.

God looks far deeper than the surface of our emotions. He looks directly at the heart. Jeremiah 17:10 (NLT) tells us, “But I, the LORD, search all hearts and examine secret motives.” The truth is that our responses in painful moments reveal what we truly believe. When someone walks away from us, it exposes whether our security rests in God or in another person. The Lord sees every motive and every hidden attachment, and He desires to heal the places in our hearts that have been leaning on something other than Him.

Real love is not obsession, desperation, or the fear of losing someone. Real love begins with God and flows through a life that trusts Him completely. Scripture tells us in Galatians 5:6 (NLT), “What is important is faith expressing itself in love.” When our hearts are rooted in Christ, we are no longer controlled by jealousy, panic, or emotional turmoil. Instead, we are free to love others in a healthy and genuine way—because our identity, our peace, and our worth are already secure in the love of Jesus Christ.

Until God’s love becomes enough for us, we will keep asking people to fill a place that only Christ was meant to occupy. ■

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

“Understanding Real Love: Learning the Difference Between Love and Dependence”, written for https://rescuefromdomesticviolence.blogspot.com© 2026. All rights reserved. All praise and honor to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

The Freedom of Living by God’s Standard

 

 

Galatians 5:19-21(NLT)

“19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.”

Most people read a passage like this and immediately feel a little uncomfortable. To them, it may sound like a list of things that God doesn’t like but makes their life enjoyable. Our Heavenly Father isn’t trying to restrict our freedom or limit out happiness. That isn’t what this passage is about at all.

God wants us to have joy. Romans 14:17 (NLT) says, “For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” We can be assured that He isn’t trying to take the joy out of our lives. He’s giving us the path to it by showing us the behaviors and attitudes that are not aligned with the example of Christ. He’s revealing things that slowly drain peace from our lives and damage the relationships that matter most.

When we really think about it, most of the pain people experience in life can be traced back to something listed in Galatians 5:19-21. Relationships fall apart because of dishonesty, envy, or selfishness. Friendships are strained by gossip and jealousy. Families are wounded by uncontrolled tempers and pride. These things may seem small at first, but over time they leave a trail of broken trust and emotional exhaustion behind them. They create chaos in places where God intended there to be peace.

This is why God speaks so plainly about these patterns. He’s not trying to take away our fun—He’s trying to protect the quality of our lives.

Scripture reminds us in 1 Corinthians 14:33 that God is not the author of confusion, but of peace. So when our lives start feeling like they are full of tension, drama, and disorder, it’s usually a sign that something has slipped out of alignment with the way God designed life to work.

And here’s the good news: God never points these things out to shame us. He reveals them so we can bring them before Him and allow His Spirit to help us grow past them.

Walking with Christ isn’t about living under a heavy list of rules. It’s about learning to live in a way that protects our peace, strengthens our character, and brings stability into our lives. Sometimes that means holding ourselves to a higher standard than the world around us. It’s recognizing that as His children, we can’t achieve life in the Spirit with a “I’ll do it if it feels good” attitude. This can’t be our motivation if we want to please God through the Lord Jesus Christ. We have to trust that His standard isn’t there to restrict us. It’s there to protect the life He wants us to have.

1 Corinthians 6:12 (NLT) tells us: “You say, ‘I am allowed to do anything’—but not everything is good for you. And even though ‘I am allowed to do anything,’ I must not become a slave to anything.” God has given every one of us the gift of free will, and we exercise that freedom every day. But freedom in Christ was never meant to lead us away from His wisdom. It was meant to draw us closer to trusting His guidance.

When we surrender our decisions to the Lord Jesus Christ, we’re not losing control of our lives. We’re placing our lives into the hands of the One who loves us most and sees the full path ahead. His standards lead to an abundant reality in every aspect of our lives, and when we hold ourselves to them, our relationships are built on something solid. We honor God first, and from that place of obedience, the right relationships can truly flourish. ■

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

“The Freedom of Living by God’s Standard”, written by Kim for https://rescuefromdomesticviolence.blogspot.com© 2026. All rights reserved. All praise and honor to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.