Peace that Surpasses Understanding

I remember a period of my life when I woke up every day with a piercing anxiety burning in my chest. I remember feeling crippled even when everything in my life was exactly how I wanted it. It didn't matter how "great" my life was, I couldn't enjoy it. Nothing was satisfying and every day was a never-ending battle.

I'm happy to call those days memories now.

Funny thing is, during this period of my life, I surrendered my life to God. I had believed in Him my entire life, but never gave Him all I had. But when I had nothing left to fill me, I did the only thing I knew to do - surrender to the God who created me, who "loved me and gave himself for me" (Galations 2:20). 

Can I just tell you that since that day that I surrendered, I have never felt the crippling pain of that hopeless anxiety again? 

Sure, I've cried. Okay, I've BAWLED. But there's something different about the way I mourn now. It's like, in the midst of uncertainty, fear, hurt, and sadness, there's something deep, deep within me that never runs out of joy. 

It's like....it's like a fountain.

A fountain... 

Interesting.

In John 7 Jesus says 

           “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'"

I have found this to be absolutely true. Even when everything feels wrong and I feel powerless to make it right, I never feel hopeless. I have a constant sense of God's sovereignty and the promise that He will work all things to my good (Romans 8:28). 

He offers this to EVERYONE. Anyone who would come may drink from the fountain - and never thirst again (John 4:14). 

Come drink from the fountain today. Your trials and tribulations won't disappear. Your tears won't run completely dry. Your heart won't become steel. But new life will spring from within you and a fountain will begin to well up from deep inside as the Peace of God which surpasses all human understanding takes residence in your heart (Philippians 4:7). 

His love will captivate you. Because Oh, How He Loves.