A man who sought the perfect picture of Peace promoted a painting contest. The artists were asked to paint whatever they felt would portray “Peace”. Some artists painted serene landscapes with sunsets and fields of beautiful flowers. Another painted a still quiet lake with a reflection clear as glass.
Each was amazing and beautiful, but when the winner was unveiled, everyone gasped in disbelief. The title of the winning painting was “Peace in the Midst of the Storm”.
At first glance, the painting looks anything but peaceful. Black clouds and lightning cover the sky. Waves crash down a jagged rocky hillside with raging waters below. How could this be peaceful? Take a close look at the picture. Just beneath the waterfalls (and just above the river of water) you will notice a bird with her nest of babies tucked underneath the edge of a rock. In the midst of a giant storm, this bird found a sanctuary, a safe place to rest her wings. A true portrayal of peace.
Our lives, as we scramble through our days, can be compared to the bird trying to fly through that storm. We fight through traffic. We struggle to get all our tasks done. We become totally stressed over all the “little stuff” that never goes our way.
Now look at the painting again. Just as the bird found refuge under a rock, so can we find refuge in God. Imagine all the troubles in your life being shielded by a rock, feeling just as peaceful as the bird in the painting. Did you know that in the Bible it says that God is our
rock? The Lord is my rock, my fortress, my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust (Psalm 18:2).
Adapted from:
https://faithfarmfamilytable.wordpress.com/2015/09/08/peace-in-the-midst-of-the-storm/
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How often we wish for a few crumbs, scraps of peace in our frenzied, uncertain, fast-paced world, filled with tensions between nations, within our borders, our cities, our neighborhoods, our families, and even our own souls. We want peace, but it seems to evade us. We search for it frantically, but it is elusive. Often, we search in all the wrong places.
Is it possible to once again find peace in this turbulent modern world? Yes, beyond the shadow of a doubt! We have little hope within the framework of today’s realities, but if we go beyond this reality, it is possible to find a peace that is impervious to tribulations. Peace that is greater than our human reasoning and is not dependent on external conditions. God is greater than all circumstances and is capable of changing them around to work for our benefit. He can intervene in our lives and give us the solutions that we are looking for. His power is so great that He can transform a tragedy into a triumph. He can give us the peace that we long for. It is entirely within our reach, if we ask Him.
As Nehru said, “Peace is brought about by a serenity of soul.”
Excerpt from the book „Treasure of Peace“
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Peace I leave with you; My peace I give unto you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid (John 14:27).
These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world (John 16:33).
