A Saturday dusk was the perfect setting for a stroll on the new boardwalk along the lake cove’s edge. As my husband and I walked, talked, and dreamed, we also reflected on the drama and trauma that made our picturesque boardwalk stroll possible.
Three years ago, we bought a home that ticked all the major must-haves on our list. We felt incredibly fortunate. Throughout the entire home buying process — from creating the list of essentials to signing our names on the closing documents — I could sense Spirit’s encouragement and assurance. In praying about our move, I saw a vision of peace and plenty associated with us living in this house. Because I knew very little about the area in which our new house was located, I held tightly to that gracious assurance, and as we settled in, we wasted no time in transforming the house into our home.
About six months later, a local builder began a major construction project surrounding our tiny neighborhood of six homes. Giant mature trees were ripped from their roots, and our quaint, narrow gravel road was widened to accommodate an assembly line of excavators, bulldozers, and other Transformer-looking commercial equipment. Each morning, we were awakened by trucks beeping, banging, and honking. Oversized tire treads converted our gravel road to a cratered obstacle course. Flying clouds of red clay dust chased us inside away from outdoor recreation. The sanctity of our little wooded oasis vanished, and along with it, my peace and assurance seemed to dissipate.
You may be rolling your eyes, shaking your head, and thinking, “Lucretia, what is the big deal? Destruction for the sake of construction happens all the time! How frivolous!”
That’s what I told myself too with every infraction — flat tires, trucks blocking the road, dodging construction site debris, sliding in the mud, getting stuck in the mud, mud clinging to my minivan and depositing wherever I parked. One day while at the gym, a woman confronted and harassed me about the heaps of mud that had fallen from my wheel wells into her parking lot. Did she think I was mucking up the parking lot on purpose?
Daily, I tried not to let it bother me or make me anxious. In prayer, I recalled the vision of peace and plenty that had given me a sense of assurance. I focused on gratitude. I practiced Philippians 4:6:
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
But where was the promise of Philippians 4:7?
Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Do you remember the woman in the 80’s Wendy’s commercial who shouted, “Where’s the beef?”
Well, living stuck in the mud between a promise made and a promise manifested had me pleading, Where’s the peace? I battled frustration and anger. I was outraged that I had to drive my children on a dangerous road. Many times, I was anxious and wanted to lash out at the construction workers. I was furious about the disruption going on around me. And I was exhausted from trying to keep it together.
Post construction, as my husband and I walked along the beautiful new boardwalk, I reflected on how hostile this place felt a short time ago. I felt ashamed that I had allowed the disruption around me to cause me so much stress. I felt like I had failed — as if I’d abandoned peace and surrendered to the chaos around me.
I imagine that if this situation had been a peace test, I would have scored a D minus. Fortunately, God does not evaluate us on the degree to which we are human. Though at times, I may not have felt peaceful, a life in Christ promises that peace is always there for me — always accessible and available for me to have. Peace is not a stagnant state of euphoria nor is it obligated to keep me feeling carefree, safe, and free of stress. In Christ Jesus, peace simply must keep me, hold me.
Life under construction is stressful — literally and figuratively! I believe that when we moved into our house, our omniscient God graciously gave me the vision of peace and plenty to guard my heart and mind during the muddy process. On those days when my minivan needed to be pushed out of the mud, my anxiety was more clear than the vision. But, nonetheless, the vision was there. There were times when I felt I had let go of peace, but as my husband and I walked the boardwalk that evening, I remembered the truth: God’s perfect peace had never let me go.
In our muddy situations, peace holds us when we can’t be at peace. Even when we don’t have the capacity to calm our hearts and minds because of the chaos around us, God’s promised peace holds and carries us.
Leave a Comment
Ruth Mills says
“Peace is not a stagnant state of euphoria nor is it obligated to keep me feeling carefree, safe & stress free. In Christ Jesus, peace simply must keep me, hold me.” SO thankful for this everlasting truth! Blessings!
Lucretia Berry says
Hi Ruth!
I am so glad to know you were encouraged by what I shared.
May you be encompassed in peace.
Thank you for reading.
Shalom
LCB
Susan says
Thanks so much for these words. Exactly what I needed this morning!
Lucretia Berry says
Hi Susan.
Thank you for reading!
May you be encompassed in peace.
Shalom
LCB
Beth Williams says
Lucretia,
The devil wants to steal our peace & joy. He puts distractions & stumbling blocks in our way to get us frustrated, irritated & upset. But God can use all that for His good. He is working in us during those times building our Christian character. We must try our best to let peace hold us & trust that God has our best in mind. Usually in the end we get more than we expected. Sure there was the stress of construction but ultimately you got a nice boardwalk. Thanks to God.
Blessings 🙂
Lucretia Berry says
Hi Beth!
Yes! Peace perfectly holds us even when we can’t perfectly hold peace.
Thank you for reading and sharing.
May you be encompassed in peace.
Shalom
Lucretia
Madeline says
I am in the middle of a kitchen redo that should have been complete by now. Not even close. I cannot imagine being at peace until at least July 23rd for counter top installation- IF they are measured correctly. I am trying so hard to find that peace you write about. I live in a 1 bedroom/1 bathroom condo. I keep trying to remind myself that this too shall pass. I am trying so hard not to get angry at damaged cabinets and specs that were not measured correctly and result in having the cabinets taken down and rehung. I am trying to accept that I cannot find anything and am living in dust that have my allergies in full swing. I am trying to laugh at not having a kitchen sink, 2 weeks and counting. In light of the past year plus, I feel guilty to do anything but be grateful that I am healthy and have a place to live , but some days it isn’t easy. Peace to us all.
Lucretia Berry says
Hi Madeline!
I am so sorry that you are living in the middle of chaos and disarray! ARGH!!! I understand how difficult it is. Just now that getting upset simply means that what you are going through matters. And when you are upset and frustrated, know that God is holding you close. God is with you. God understands.
Peace perfectly holds us even when we can’t perfectly hold peace.
Thank you for reading and sharing.
May you be encompassed in peace. I pray that your renos are completed on time and with care.
Shalom
Lucretia
Ann Woleben says
Your thoughts came at just the right time for me – God speaking through you. Thank you!
Lucretia Berry says
Hi Ann!
Thank you for reading and sharing.
May you be encompassed in peace.
Shalom
Lucretia
Courtney says
I loved this, thank you,Lucretia!
Lucretia Berry says
Hi Courtney!
Thank you for reading and sharing.
May you be encompassed in peace.
Shalom
Lucretia
Barbara K Rothman says
Dear Lucretia,
I understand the frustration of construction around you & having to live thru it. I’m so sorry the lady at the gym was so rude, I really don’t understand why people lash out at others like that. We went thru construction on a street near us soon after we moved into our home & it was rough, but not as hard as yours during the street opening. This new street made getting home 1 mile closer! Also gave us a new street to walk & enjoy a new neighborhood. But during the construction we had the noise & mess you described! I can’t even imagine having to endure being stuck in the mud though & having your car surrounded with mud. I’m surprised they didn’t make one side accesible with an access out!
I enjoy reading your devotionals Lucretia & Lord bless you daily as we all struggle with different trials. You encouraged me & I’m sure you’ve blessed many people today!!!
Barbara
Lucretia Berry says
Hi Barbara!
Your comment really helped me feel seen and heard. Thank you so much for your encouragement.
Thank you for reading and sharing. May you be encompassed in peace.
Shalom
Lucretia
Sandy says
Hi Lucretia,
Beautiful reminder to focus on Jesus to keep the peace both around us and in our hearts.
Shalom, Sandy
Lucretia Berry says
Hi Sandy!
If it were not for Jesus, I could not have gotten through it without screaming at someone!
Thank you for reading and sharing.
May you be encompassed in peace.
Shalom
Lucretia
Julia Bridgewater says
Oh God’s peace. This reminds me of an old Hymn Peace, Peace wonderful peace coming down from the Father above. Sweep over my spirit forever I Pray in fathomeleth billows of Love.
Lucretia Berry says
Hi Julia.
I don’t think I know that hymn. I’ll have to google it.
Thank you for reading and sharing.
May you be encompassed in peace.
Shalom
Lucretia
Leone Byron says
Beautiful. Thank you for the reminder that God’s peace is always with us.
Lucretia Berry says
Hi Leone!
You’re welcome.
Thank you for reading and sharing.
May you be encompassed in peace.
Shalom
Lucretia
Noreen says
Oh, how much l needed your thoughts this day! As l deal with a mentally ill adult child, I am reminded that God gave this child to me!! Even when, as an adult resentment and blame are part of the assessments he feels when he is having issues, God created me, and him!!
I am so thankful this moment for perfect peace! And my Heavenly Father, who has this, and all of my life situations, firmly in His powerful Hands
Lucretia Berry says
Hi Noreen!
Yes!! The one who made us holds us together, even though it feels like things are falling a part.
Thank you for reading and sharing.
May you, your son, and your relationship be encompassed in peace.
Shalom
Lucretia
Carrie Crowl says
Thank you for this. Lately I’ve felt so rushed, stressed and overwhelmed. I want to feel Gods peace that surpasses all understanding but it’s been so hard. I want to feel His peace regardless of what’s going on in my life. Thank you for sharing. Be blessed!
Carrie Crowl
Lucretia Berry says
Hi Carrie!
I certainly understand your sentiment. When I feel stressed, I try to remember to breathe into His rest, to meditate on His goodness, to distract myself from the thing that is causing stress (if I can).
Thank you for reading and sharing.
May you be encompassed in peace.
Shalom
Lucretia
Sharon Gakin says
I’ve lived this somewhat like you, with many complaints, questions and tears in the 4 years my husband went to prison for a shocking crime. I often felt like I was in a rock tumbler but always I knew God was there, controlling it all. His peace defies understanding. It’s all grace.
Lucretia Berry says
Hi Sharon.
I am sorry to hear that you had to go through that. Yes, God was tumbling with you all while holding the world in place.
Thank you for reading and sharing.
May you be encompassed in peace.
Shalom
Lucretia
Carol says
I can relate so much to your testimony. I feel God sent this to me to read. I am living with my son,his wife and 3 grandkids. The 2 boys are 2 and 3. At times the house can be so chaotic and I feel like I am loosing my mind. I realize that I am putting a lot of this stress on myself. Through several bible studies I have learned ask the question what does God expect of me. This seems to put me back on track and not expect things of myself that I no longer can do. Then I feel peace come back over me.
Lucretia Berry says
Hi Carol.
“What does God expect of me?” I love this. I am going to incorporate it into my life.
Thank you for reading and sharing.
May you be encompassed in peace.
Shalom
Lucretia
Lois Bilusack says
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts about peace. I have often struggled in times when I couldn’t feel calm in chaos. What a blessing to realize that even then the peace of God is holding and carrying me.