After a horrendous last several days of riots, chaos and destruction, the words peace, power, presence and patience hold a very significant meaning for all of us. A best-selling, author friend of mine, Rachel Hauck, brings the big picture down to a personal, thumbprint size in her blog. Here’s an excerpt from her blog titled Peace, Power, Presence and Patience. Rachel writes:
“Last evening while dining with friends, I asked for prayer as we said goodbye. As we prayed, one friend said, ‘I just feel you’re to lean into Jesus’ peace, power, presence and patience. The four P’s,’ he said.”
“It struck me that growing in God often requires trial. The trick is not to get distracted and discouraged along the way. There are times when life closes in, and in those moments, none of the P‘s are on my plate. But I take a deep breath. Have a moment of clarity. Exhale a prayer of gratitude. A soft song of thanksgiving, or one glorifying God because He is good, and I can taste at least one P.”
“Prayer is the conduit to an encounter with God. We often want to find another way around but truly, there is nothing more profound and purposeful than sitting at His feet, waiting, listening, just being.”
“We want life to be easy. Playful and rollicking, stumbling along into our destiny, being fulfilled by our whims, careers and family. We want to know God with no more effort than Sunday morning service and a daily devotional.”
But there’s so much more to obtain.
“We must be mindful and intentional. Plan. Wants and dreams are just cloud-ideas until we start putting effort into them. Often we have to fight through old mind sets, hurts, and just plain bad habits. Others times we need to take a look around for a reality check, realign and go for new dreams and goals. Some of us need a dream to overcome!”
“Here’s the good thing. In God, these things can accelerate.”
“Or, you can go the self-help way; power through your situation, you know, “just do it” and somehow pull yourself up by your bootstraps. Eventually you’ll manage your anger or lust, greed and envy. Or not!”
“The four P‘s, along with the super P of prayer awakens our hearts to the bigger picture. It fills in the why’s and the what for’s. And when you go to the One who loves you and died for you, you’re actually transformed.”
“Romans 12:1-2 says, ‘We are transformed by the renewing of our minds.” Not just ‘Hey, I’m going to think differently about a situation.’ But, ‘I’m going to think differently and act differently from the inside out. I’m going to think with the mind of Christ.'”
“When the battle comes, we transform by renewing our minds. By believing what God says about us, not what we ‘feel’ or think. Not what the devil may whisper in our ears. That’s when we begin to experience God’s Power, His Presence, His Peace and His Patience.” With each victory, we have a greater understanding of who we are, and who He is.”
Know God and experience the journey!
Rachel Hauck is married and resides in Florida. She has authored several award-winning books, and her latest one, To Love a Prince, will be released August 11. You can meet her at: https://www.rachelhauck.com/