Peace on Purpose

These past few weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic have hit HARD.

There was an initial overwhelming feeling of helplessness. Calls from hospitals, unable to support loved ones in-person, the CNN death toll-ticker, and back-to-back notifications of loved ones being ill and quickly transitioning from this life to the next.

As a believer, a bonafide believer, THIS. HIT. HARD.

I’m a full-picture thinker. I like details, I like varying perspectives, I like to think from both sides of the playing field…and I humanly felt many emotions. I felt everything from crying, praying, feeling dejected, feeling despair…to believing, thinking on good things to eventually moving forward with a stealth-like determination. My brain, heart, and mind experienced a full gamut of emotions.

As a mental-health advocate, I understand the need to process (kick, scream, break-something, be still, rage, cry, write, walk, breathe, sleep, think, listen, be in silence, etc.) and having this perspective allows me to have grace for people wherever they may be in their grieving process.

I gave myself grace for the past few weeks to weep, question God, get some answers, get none, have a standoff, pray fervently, read and study fervently, and also to sit extremely still and w a i t.

The scripture comes to mind:

1 Kings 19: 11-12:

“11 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake:

12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.”

And that’s where I found God’s peace. It wasn’t on Facebook…and I appreciate the network and the connections to information from my community, but it messed with my focus…and it wasn’t on Instagram…again, I appreciate the reminders for prayer and the connection to others for information…but there were more distractions than there was information, so that wasn’t it.

The peace that I got truly came from intentionally protecting the gates of my eyes, ears, and Spirit. I had to close all the extra doors in order to keep my mind occupied with the things of God in His Word…whether it was spoken scripture, recorded/live sermons, inspirational music, fellowship with my mentors and Spiritual parents, faith-talks with friends and family and protecting my peace by avoiding the negative, the faithless, and maintaining my stride in this race of endurance.

I have learned that there truly is no alternate way to perfect peace other than keeping your mind stayed on Him. NO CAP.

With the apex of this crisis still on its way, it’s imperative to continue in your individual ways towards a healthy supply of peace.

Imagine waking up each morning with the peace of God surrounding your heart and mind instead of doom, gloom, worry, and fear…

The only price for peace is the sacrifice of your attention.

What’s it worth to you?

Stay safe, know that you are loved, and be thankful for this very moment <3

Love & Light,

Marissa