On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” John 20:19-21
The youngest and I took the pup and went to a parade today. It was a cold morning, around 40 degrees with the possibility of rain. We barely left the house when it started sprinkling. We decided to park quite a ways from the parade route in order to get some of the energy out of the pup before we got around all the people there.
We made it to Main Street and had some time before the parade was to begin. We were standing on a sidewalk with nowhere to step behind and just the road in front. People were constantly walking within inches of us. I had to take a deep breath because I’ve never attempted this kind of thing with the pup. Would he act like he was on a pogo stick and bounce every time someone new walked by us? What about the sirens and the yells from the University students? Oh no, what about the bands with all the noise? Breathe, breathe, breathe…me, not the dog. He was acting like he did this every day. Yes, there were a couple times where he started to get excited, but with a couple corrections he was fine. People were coming up to him and he acted like a gentleman. He sat like a statue with those who just walked by!
When I started hearing the parade come closer, I had to remind myself to relax and breathe again. All these new sounds had to be overwhelming to the pup, but he was a champ! It never fazed him. People were throwing candy and he never even moved! He got up when the drums went by with the first band, but was still under control. As the next bands went by, he ignored those drums! He worked through it. It was a complete success.
The pup was great, but the time with the youngest was even better! We laughed, talked, and got a bit wet together. We made memories this morning and again when we got home and tried to warm up! We met lots of nice people too.
Do you ever hide due to fear? I was listening to a sermon this morning and it was part of a series, but I only got through 20 minutes of the first part. It was glaringly obvious that God was speaking to me through the words of that pastor. He talked about when we are anxious and worried we need to remember Jesus said, “Peace be with you!” He didn’t say it once, but He said it twice.
Jesus has the ability to replace anxiety and worry with assurance, confidence, and joy. I know this, but there are times that I need reminded of that in order to apply it to specific circumstances. The pastor explained that the reason Jesus could do that was because He rose from the dead. He has power over life, sin, darkness, and death, so whatever we are dealing with, no matter how inconsequential or huge, it is small in the realm of His power. That pastor really made me remember what I already knew…Jesus can handle it! We just need to trust in His power and realize that He can work all circumstances in our life for our very best.
Sometimes it doesn’t have to be a big fear you’re dealing with. It could be as simple as running the silly “what ifs” through your mind. The youngest really didn’t want to go anywhere at first…what if I make him and he’s miserable? What if it rains? What if the pup is bad? It would be easier to stay at home. I felt like God was saying to me, “Wrong answer! Stop hiding due to fear. Stop the “what ifs” and give them to me. Peace be with you!”
I’m so glad I listened today because it was a blessing. It was handled, but not by me. It rained, but not terribly hard, and we had umbrellas! I replaced my anxiety and worry with Jesus’s assurance, confidence, and joy. I learned a very valuable lesson from God speaking through that pastor’s message.
Today, don’t hide due to fear. When God is nudging you to do something…just do it! Keep searching out what He wants from you. Pray, read what He wrote to us in the Bible, and listen to those whom He speaks through…thank you Pastor Chris!
“Peace be with you!” Keep those four important words close to your heart today.
