I remember the first time those words came out.
I was on my knees in prayer and was bouncing between feeling a burning fury and knowing that I had to continue being silent in this season. Where was peace? I certainly had none!
This battle was not mine, it was the Lords.
Had I responded the way I wanted to – in that furnace of fury – I would have muddied my witness and gave full reign to the enemy to use and taint my tongue and spirit.
Just imagine…the victory would have been his, and my spirit would have been robbed. Fury would have begotten more fury and who knows where that rabbit hole would have gone!
Now, is there a time to speak? Most definitely.
But when the Holy Spirit commands your silence – you have only to be still and watch the Lord fight.
Pray for God’s wisdom and guidance on how (of even if) you should respond, and when the appropriate time to Do so should be.
Until then, rather than focus on the sting or all the shoulda-woulda’s, focus your prayers on petitioning God to grant you the peace to release.
Sitting in the pain, or even satisfying your desire to respond, to win, to be proven right will only grant satisfaction. However, there is something greater than satisfaction; and that something is peace.
Keep this in mind: it’s possible to be satisfied without peace. Has that ever happened to you? You did the thing you thought would make you feel satisfied and somehow, you still feel indifferent when it’s all said and done?
When we go outside of the Lord with tending our circumstances, even if we “handle” it, we often can’t comprehend all the ways in which the circumstance has or will impact us. That is where seeking the peace to release is vital.
Peace is lasting and the Lord is slow, but sure.
Another crucial reason to pursue the peace to release is because releasing anything upsetting or traumatic isn’t easy! And, we don’t simply need ease to do it, we need peace that produces a deep-seated rest and assurance.
So, make the choice to forgive (this may be a choice you have to make many times regarding the same situation).
And remember, forgiving doesn’t mean accepting what was done. But rather, it keeps you in right standing before God and opens the way for Him to move in greater ways than you ever could.
Petition the peace of God which will pass all understanding.
Now rest.
- Exodus 14:14 – The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.
- 2 Chronicles 20:17 – You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you.
- Ephesians 6:12 – For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
- Luke 10:19 – Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.
- 1 Samuel 17:47 – And that all this assembly may know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give you into our hand.
- James 1:19 – This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger.
The Late Night Series is for the souls that need anchoring in the late-night hour, reach for and receive the rest of the Lord.
He hears every clamoring thought, every cry, every question. As you search your heart tonight, may He be found.
Have a prayer request on your heart? Send me an email and I’ll be glad to be in prayer with you.
Hannah
| (p.s. Don’t forget to follow on Instagram and Facebook and scroll down to see helpful products and resources regarding tonight’s “Late Night Series” topic) |
Not sure how to release? Tune in to Episode 26 “But I Thought I was Healed” and learn how to pay attention to areas of resurfacing pain and what to do when this happens. (available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Play, and Amazon Music).
