Peace In The Waiting

Waiting...that's what I'm doing, waiting, wondering. When will I get that next phone call, the first letter. Why is waiting so hard?!
It's been a little over a week since Abel left for Basic and though I think I've experienced a roller coaster of emotions, I feel peace in the waiting. I have to honestly say I would never be able to go through this time without Jesus on my side. I cannot tell you the immense peace I have felt. Never in my life have I had this peace.

John 14:27, "I am leaving you with a gift - peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give you isn't like the peace the world gives. So don't be troubled or afraid."

Peace that the world gives, what does that mean? Usually when the world defines peace, it means the absence of conflict. I looked up the word "peace" in Merriam-Webster's dictionary, and two of my favorite definitions that it gave were:
1. A state of tranquility or quiet.
2. Freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions.

Jesus never promised us a life without conflict, but in the midst of all of that, he gives us peace, i.e. tranquility, quiet and freedom. And true peace isn't found in "positive thinking" or in good feelings, it comes from KNOWING that God is in control.

Philippians 4:6,7 says, "Don't WORRY about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."

I've started to connect with a lot of people on Facebook who also have loved ones at Ft. Jackson right now in Basic and the bottom line in so many people's posts seems to be worry. Understandably so. Many of them have very young sons and daughters who have never been away from home. Many of them have husbands or wives who this is the first time being apart (ME!), but I just pray that I can be an encouragement to those people and point them to the Ultimate Peace Giver!

So as I think of my husband today, I pray PEACE over him. Not the peace that the world gives, but the peace, tranquility and freedom that comes from knowing God is in control. God is in control of his loneliness, his fears, his tiredness and fatigue, his pain, his weakness. And God is also in control of his peace.

If you think about Abel today, please just say a quick prayer for him, I know he can feel every on of them!