By: Gina Barton Sewell

There was a time in my life that my relationship with Jesus wasn’t quite what it is now. I was raised in the church. I was saved and baptized as a young teenager. I had a clear plan for my life, which entirely centered around Jesus. But then, somewhere down the line, I got a little off track. Rebellious teenager, you might say.
 
Years later, just as I’m getting back on track, there was a tragedy in my family that just brought me so much anger toward God. My mother, who was the staple of our family, the whole reason I knew who Jesus was and loved Him so much was involved in a terrible accident. A drunk driver hit her on her way home from my house. The ambulance arrived within one minute, and they were able to bring her back. But, unfortunately, her head injury was so severe that she never really came back. She spent months in the hospital, where I stayed with her, and when she came home, I tried so hard to take care of her, with no help, and the belief that she would make a complete recovery. I mean, after all, she did it right. She spent her life serving the Lord.
 
But she did not recover...

By: Tamika Mahomes

As I woke up this morning, I found myself meditating on the word in John 14:27, "let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." As I found myself reflecting on this scripture, I understood that this reminder is necessary for the times we live in today. In this midst of the current pandemic, racial injustice, and even our lives' problems, the Bible reminds us that we have access to the peace that comes from the Father. 

The Bible does not say that we will not have problems, the Bible does not say that troubles will not come, but instead, the word of God reminds us that throughout life's ups and downs, as believers we do not have to be afraid. Our troubles, our worries, our fears, they do not have to lead us, but instead, we can rest in the truth that when we walk with the Father, he can give us peace, even when the world is full of chaos.  

​The Bible says that God leaves his peace with us, His peace, and not the worlds; there is a difference. We can try and find peace in this world, we can try to find answers in this world, but the true peace and rest that our soul needs comes from the Father. We can choose to wrestle with our problems, or we can choose to rest in the promise. 

​The choice is up to us. And while the choice may be ours, our true answer is found in Christ and him alone! It is not found in this world, it is not found in people, but it is solely found in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Today, before I close out this blog, I invite you to choose the peace that comes from Christ. I invite you to stop focusing on your problems and start focusing on the problem solver. While you are searching for answers, Jesus is the solution. The peace of the world is fleeting, but the word and truth of God is forever. Rest in his peace, rest in his truth, rest in his word. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. ​v