Cultivating a Heart of PeaceSample

God’s Grace and Mercy in the Present Moment

Carving out regular time to practice solitude and silence becomes our act of surrender to God, giving the Holy Spirit permission to exchange our worry, fear, and doubt for peace. The kind of peace that is not dependent on circumstances and overtime begins to cultivate trust in God's will for our lives.

Alone with Jesus in the quiet moments of our day, our Good Shepherd invites us to immerse ourselves in the Word of God. Meditating on Scripture creates space and time for the Holy Spirit to move Scripture from our minds down into our hearts and finally out through our bodies.

Meditating on God's Word begins to train our minds to be fully present in each moment throughout the day. With so many distractions bombarding us daily, fully engaging the present moment in front of us can be more difficult than one might imagine. Our minds constantly oscillate between the past, present, and future. When we get stuck in the past, we often feel overwhelmed with shame and regret. But too much daydreaming about the future can open the door to an unhealthy mix of excitement and anxiety.

The present moment is the only place we can experience the peace of God. God exists outside of time, but we do not. So, how do we live fully awake with our eyes fixed on Him? How do we experience the presence of God in the moment right in front of us?

Together, let's consider two Biblical truths that enable us to be present in the moment and allow the Holy Spirit to cultivate peace in our hearts.

First, we must continually hold before our minds the thought that His grace is sufficient, and His power is more than enough for every minute of every new day we are given. (See 2 Corinthians 12:9 NRSV) Even the most temporary moments of peace you and I experience on this side of Heaven are a direct result of God's unending grace.

Second, Lamentations 3:22-23 NRSV tells us, "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Regardless of how anxiety-riddled yesterday might have felt, we can rest in the truth that if there is breath in our lungs today, His mercies are new and more than enough for anything we might face.

As you go, take a minute to pause from the busyness of life. In this place, allow God to shower you with His grace and mercy, touching every area of your life.