Peace for Your Heart This Fall

By: Rebekah Hargraves

Photo Couresty of Evelyn Mostrom

"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." ~John 14:27

We are officially embarking on the beautiful season of fall as we finally enter into one of my favorite months - October! But between the football games and practices, school schedules, carpooling coordination, and so much more that many of us women and moms have to juggle this time of year, too often stress reigns supreme.

The older I get, though, the more I see the trouble (with a capital T sometimes!) that can come in life—and I’m only 27! Stress isn't just a school-year or fall thing—it's an all-year-round reality for many of us! Living in this reality, it can be easy to ask that age-old question, Where is God when bad things happen? Or, to put it another way, How can God still be good while also allowing bad things to happen in this life?

This is where free will and human responsibility come in, and where we mustn’t blame God for that which He is not ultimately responsible. God didn’t create evil, nor did He make trouble enter into our lives. Since the fall and its subsequent curse, the enemy has been ever ready to wreak havoc in all of our lives, in one form of trouble or another (or, as the case is sometimes, many forms all at once!). As seen in the case of Job, sometimes God allows this to happen, while knowing that He will undoubtedly bring good from it in the end. 

This is what we have to keep in mind today and everyday, friends: there is still peace to be found. Whether your fall season is moving along quite nicely and you aren’t feeling the old school year stress this year that you typically experience (but are instead making the most precious, peaceful, and fruitful memories in this beautiful season), or whether you are in the middle of a season of grief and worry or acting like a chicken with its head cut off, peace can still be yours. Because the reality is this: peace is not ultimately found in our to-do lists being crossed off, our calendars being empty, and our homes and schedules being streamlined and spotless (though those are all pretty great things!). Peace ultimately comes from Jesus, and He is with us always.

I hope this takes a load off you today, friend. As we are quickly approaching the much-anticipated holiday season, I hope that you are able to feel that peace which passes all understanding even though you are experiencing whatever trouble may be on your plate at this very moment. With Christ, there is always hope, and that means there can also always be peace.