Monday Motivation: My Peace

Friends

Are there problems stealing your peace this morning? Rest assured. You don’t have to face them alone. At my recent eye appointment, I had to remind myself of this important truth!

 

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“On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!””

John 20:19 – NIV

 

I was surprised when the feeling came. I thought I had put all that behind me, closing the door on that emotion. I thought I was passed all that. Apparently not.

 

I was fine in the days preceding that moment. Lots on my mind these days. I really had not given it much thought.

 

I was fine when I woke up that morning, quite calm as we made the thirty minute drive in the truck. I was unflustered  as I tapped my way up the sidewalk, unperturbed as I entered through the automatic double doors.

 

The registration process was easy. I plopped down on the hard, uncomfortable love seat in the waiting room, and I felt perfectly comfortable, ready to get this done and get on with the rest of my to-do’s for the day.

 

I was fine when the technician called my name, calm as we followed her down the hall. But when I settled in that exam chair, the eye chart staring at me expectantly from across the room, I wasn’t fine anymore.

 

I was outwardly calm as the technician ran through her list of questions, but when she asked me to cover my right eye and read the eye chart, my stomach did one of those not-so-good flip-flops. Staring straight ahead, I saw nothing. That was no surprise. I lost my central vision in the left eye in 2016. In 2021, the central vision in my right eye gave up the ghost. I knew this full well. No surprise there. But that blank wall in front of me did not feel good. The technician instructed me to use my remaining peripheral vision and see what I could make out. After some labored scanning back-and-forth, up and down, I managed to identify several letters on the upper rows of the chart. Then she dropped the bomb shell that made my belly do another flip-flop. “The doctor wants you to do a visual field test.”  

 

All I could think was, “I hate this!” My next thought was,“Why are you feeling this way?”

 

My chin on the chin rest, buzzer in hand, I waited for the little lights to appear. I was waiting, but I was not calm. I could feel that old panic climbing up my spine. Anxiety settled on my shoulders like it always did as I searched for the tiny lights that faded in and out of my view. The angst kept climbing, even though I knew full well what that same old test would show. It would be the same as my last results. So why was I so anxious?

 

“I can’t do this. I can’t finish this!” Those thoughts were swirling in my mind, even though they did not flow from my lips. And then I stopped. I remembered. I told myself, “You don’t have to do this alone. Lord, help me. Lord, help me calm down. Help me finish this test.”

 

Suddenly, it was over. In my mind, I heard the word, “Peace,” and peace was what I felt. The lights were still flashing. The buzzer was still beeping, but I was no longer afraid.

 

On that long ago evening, Jesus’ disciples  were cloistered away in that stuffy room, fearing the wrath of the Jewish leaders. At their behest, Jesus had been crucified. Would that also be their fate if they were found?

 

Those frightened men had heard Mary Magdalene’s proclamation, “I have seen the Lord!” They had heard it, but could it really be true? They had heard it, wanted to believe it, but somehow the fear just wouldn’t go away.  

 

Then suddenly, Jesus was there, standing before them, and what were his first words to His old friends? “Peace be with you.” Jesus showed up and brought His peace.

 

Seated in that exam chair, my chin propped on that uncomfortable chin rest, tiny bright lights flashing all around me, Jesus showed up and spoke “Peace” into the midst of my panic. I sought the Lord, and He heard, and He answered (Psalm 34:4). Jesus brought His peace, and everything changed.

 

Friends, let Jesus speak His “Peace” into your peril today. Give Him your problems, great or small, and receive his gift of peace.

 

“Peace be with you.”

 

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“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give 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 – NIV

 

PRAYER

O Lord Jesus, speak Your peace into our peril. Meet us in our angst and calm our frayed nerves. Fear must flee when we fix our eyes on You. Help us remember to always seek You, for whom we seek, we shall find.

In the Risen Name of Jesus, we pray,

Amen

 

Easter Blessings,

Anita

 

-APS 4/29/2024