Sorrow's Refining Influence: His Peace-filled Presence

Recalling God's presence in the past "hard," helps me remember HIM in the difficult NOW!

First posted July 2018 — praising God for current good health, but remembering Him in the past “waiting". . .

This is scary. This is hard. But I have Jesus!

I was on my way to the hospital to pick up a CD and written report on my CT scan done several days ago.  Something suspicious had showed up in a previous test. I wanted to find out, but I didn't want to know.

Walking from the parking lot, I sensed the Holy Spirit give me my "Jesus Prayer."

This is scary. This is hard. But I have Jesus!

Oh yes! I do have HIM in the midst of this scary, hard, waiting thing that just happened to show up on an ultrasound looking for something different. I knew ... 

God is in this! 
It is scary and hard. But HE is IN THIS.
In this is my peace.
HE is my Peace.

So as I have been pondering the refining influence of suffering (be sure to see the previous post), I have to begin with the truth that this suffering has made me aware on a gut-level, real way that He is HERE in His uniquely peace-filled way, even in the midst of uncertainty and waiting.

These Scriptures have been carrying me through. Treasure them with me.

I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid....
I have told you all this so that you may have PEACE IN ME. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.
John 14:27; 16:33 NLT

...HE Himself is our Peace...
Ephesians 2:14a

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
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.
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:6-9 NLT

And treasure along with me the realization of His peace-filled Presence in everything we may face in life:

1 The Lord is my shepherd;
    I have all that I need.
2 He lets me rest in green meadows;
    he leads me beside peaceful streams.
3     He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
    bringing honor to his name.
4 Even when I walk
    through the darkest valley,[a]
I will not be afraid,
    for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
    protect and comfort me.
5 You prepare a feast for me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
    My cup overflows with blessings.
6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
    all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
    forever.
Psalm 23 NLT