Tag Archives: gentleness

DEAR GOD: Wrapped In Your Peace~

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white bird flying under cloudy sky during daytime

 

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.” John 14:27 (KJV)

There is a kind of peace the world offers — a peace that depends on circumstances, timing, people behaving well, bodies feeling well, and life lining up neatly. It is fragile, temporary, and easily shaken. Jesus names this openly: the world gives a peace that can be taken away as quickly as it arrives. And it isn’t a peace that is settling and easy or comforting. It is not the peace of Christ.

And so -He draws a holy line between that peace and His peace.

His is not borrowed, not conditional, not fragile. It is not the result of everything going right — it is the result of Him being present. It is a peace that enters the deep places: the places where fear hides, where old wounds whisper, where uncertainty tries to take root. His peace does not sit on the surface; it settles into the soul. Into our heart and roots our spiritual self.

When Jesus says, “My peace I give unto you,” He is not offering a feeling — He is offering Himself. His Presence becomes the atmosphere of the heart. His nearness becomes the anchor. His voice becomes the steadying hand that quiets the inner storm.

Isaiah 26:3 tells us the secret: peace is not something we chase; it is something we receive when our mind is stayed — fixed, anchored, held — on Him. Not on outcomes. Not on fears. Not on what‑ifs. On Him.

This is why His peace is different. This is why His peace lasts. This is why His peace returns even after a day of worry, pain, or uncertainty.

The world’s peace is an escape temporary, fleeting – superficial. Christ’s peace is an indwelling, permanent, fulfilling and deeply gratifying.

  • The world’s peace is chaotic.
  • Christ’s peace is PEACEFUL.
  • The world’s peace depends on what is happening around you.
  • Christ’s peace depends on Who is living within you.

And when you receive His peace — truly receive it — it becomes a quiet strength, a holy steadiness, a soft shield around your heart. It becomes the gentle reminder that you are held, guided, and never alone. And that is the meaning of LIFE here and LIFE eternal.

Truly wrapped in His peace!

 “The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace.” — Psalm 29:11

 “LORD – You who speak peace into storms and calm into trembling hearts, breathe Your holy stillness into me now. Let Your peace — not the world’s peace, not temporary comfort, but Your peace — settle into every anxious place, every weary thought, every tight corner of my soul. Anchor my mind in You. Quiet the noise within me. Let Your Presence become my atmosphere, my rest, my assurance, and my strength. Keep me close, keep me steady, and keep me in the peace that only You can give. In Jesus name, Amen.”

DEAR GOD: Your Presence in The Waves~

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Psalm 29:3 (KJV) “The voice of the Lord is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the Lord is upon many waters.” 

His Presence in the Waves
by C D Swanson~

Even the ocean listens to Him. The waters rise and fall at His command. And if the sea obeys Him, then surely our lives are safe in His hands. We honor Him not just in our prayers, but in the way we carry ourselves, the way we keep going, the way we choose faith over fear. Every step becomes worship when we do it for Him.

Lord, thank You for the beauty of Your creation — the ocean, the sky, the sand beneath our feet. Let our lives reflect that same beauty as we walk in honor of You. Help us live each day with purpose, peace, and steady devotion. May every task we do be done unto You, with love and gratitude. Keep our hearts focused, our steps steady, and our spirits lifted.  In Jesus name, Amen.

DEAR GOD: Like Little Ones Before You~

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a little boy standing in a field of flowers“As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.” — 1 Peter 2:2

Like Little Ones Before Him
by C D Swanson~

There is something breathtaking about the way a baby receives what is given — no pretense, no resistance, no overthinking. A baby simply opens, trusts, and receives. This is the posture God invites us into when we approach His Word.

Not with the heaviness of adulthood. Not with the guardedness of past wounds. Not with the skepticism the world teaches.

But with the soft, uncluttered heart of a child who knows the One feeding them is good.

When we come to Scripture this way — open, hungry, unashamed of our need — the Word becomes nourishment. It strengthens what is weak, soothes what is restless, and grows what is still forming in us. God does not ask us to be impressive; He asks us to be receptive.

Children do not complicate love. Children do not question whether they are welcome. Children do not fear being too small.

And so, the Lord whispers: Come to Me like that. Come with wonder. Come with trust. Come with the simplicity of a heart that knows it is safe in My hands.

Supporting Scripture

  • Matthew 18:3 — “Except ye be converted, and become as little children…”
  • Psalm 131:2 — “My soul is even as a weaned child.”
  • James 1:21 — “Receive with meekness the engrafted word…”

Reflective Question

Where is God inviting you to lay down adult burdens and receive His Word with the simplicity and trust of a child?

“LORD, soften my heart and make it childlike again.
Teach me to receive Your Word with purity, trust, and openness.
Let Your truth nourish me, steady me, and grow me into who You’ve called me to be. In Jesus name, Amen.”

DEAR GOD: You Provide Peace & Rest – Always~

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 Peace with God - Christ AssemblyYour Peace I Cherish
C D SWANSON

“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” — Psalm 16:11, KJV

Psalm 16:11 is one of Scripture’s quiet anchors — a verse that doesn’t shout, but steadies. It speaks directly to the person who feels pulled in every direction, worn thin by responsibilities, fears, and the emotional weight of others. It reminds you that God does not simply offer escape from overwhelm; He offers Presence, and in His Presence, something deeper than relief — joy.

✅ “Thou wilt shew me the path of life”

This is God’s gentle assurance that you are not wandering alone. Even when your thoughts race, when decisions feel impossible, when you’re tired of being strong for everyone else — God is not asking you to figure out the path. He is promising to show it.

Not demand. Not pressure. Not overwhelm. Show.

A God who guides is a God who stays close.

✅ “In thy Presence is fulness of joy”

Notice it doesn’t say “in perfect circumstances” or “when everything calms down.” Joy isn’t found in the absence of problems — it’s found in the Presence of God.

This joy is not loud or forced. It’s the kind that settles the heart, slows the breath, and reminds you that you are held. When life feels like too much, God’s Presence becomes the place where your soul can finally unclench.

✅ “At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore”

The right hand is the place of strength, security, and favor. This is God saying:

“You are safe with Me. You are not forgotten. You are not carrying this alone.”

The world may demand from you — family, friends, responsibilities, fears — but God offers something different: rest, steadiness, and a joy that doesn’t depend on how today went. This verse is an invitation to breathe again. To feel confidence that the LORD loves us and never shall leave us. He wants us to prosper, be at peace and to trust Him fully and always.

🙏 A Prayer for Rest and Joy

“LORD when my thoughts race and my heart feels overwhelmed, draw me into Your presence where true joy lives. Show me the path of life when I cannot see it myself. Quiet the noise around me and within me. Hold me steady when I feel stretched thin. Allow Your peace to settle over me like a gentle covering and remind me that I am never walking alone. In Jesus name, Amen.”

DEAR GOD: Your Truth & Righteousness Is My Compass~

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Psalm 85:11 (KJV)
“Truth shall spring out of the earth;
and righteousness shall look down from heaven.”

“Where Heaven Meets Earth”

This verse paints a poetic and prophetic picture of divine harmony. “Truth shall spring out of the earth” suggests a flourishing of honesty, integrity, and divine revelation among humanity—like seeds of righteousness blooming in soil once barren.

It evokes the image of Christ Himself, the embodiment of truth, entering the world in human form.

“Righteousness shall look down from heaven” reveals God’s watchful, approving gaze. It’s not passive observation—it’s Divine engagement. Heaven responds to earth’s awakening with grace, justice, and spiritual favor. Together, these lines reflect a sacred reunion: humanity reaching upward in truth, and God leaning down in righteousness.

This verse is often interpreted as a messianic prophecy, pointing to Jesus as the truth who came from the earth (born of a woman), and righteousness as the Divine approval of His mission. It’s also a call to live in such a way that truth becomes visible in our lives, inviting heaven’s righteousness to dwell among us.

“LORD of truth and righteousness, Let Your truth spring forth in my heart like living water. May my life reflect integrity, compassion, and grace. Look down upon me with Your righteousness, And guide me in paths that honor Your name. Let heaven and earth meet in me— That I may be a vessel of Your peace, A witness to Your mercy, And a reflection of Your glory. in Jesus’ name, Amen.”
❤️

DEAR GOD: Guard My Tongue & Season My Words~

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"Guard Your Mouth" | Guarded | Pastor Bobby Chandler - YouTube

A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. — Proverbs 15:1

Words carry weight. They build bridges or burn them, soothe souls or wound hearts. Proverbs 15:1 teaches a simple yet profound truth—how we respond to conflict determines its outcome. A gentle, measured response has the power to defuse anger, redirect hostility, and promote peace, while harsh words escalate disputes, deepening wounds and fueling division.

Speaking with the Wisdom of God

The Word of God consistently reinforces the importance of tempering speech with wisdom and grace.

  • Proverbs 16:24 — “Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.”
  • James 1:19 — “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.”
  • Colossians 4:6 — “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”

These verses remind us that gracious speech is not weakness, but strength—a reflection of the wisdom that comes from God.

Examples from Scripture and Daily Life

Consider the example of Abigail in 1 Samuel 25. When faced with the reckless wrath of Nabal, she responded with wisdom, humility, and gentleness, preventing unnecessary bloodshed. Her soft answer turned away David’s anger, revealing the power of calm, Spirit-led intervention.

In our own lives, a kind response to a rude cashier, a patient word to a frustrated family member, or a loving approach to someone acting unjustly can shift the entire atmosphere. Though it is not always easy, responding with grace is a choice that honors God.

Living in the Light of His Word

Applying Proverbs 15:1 daily requires intentional surrender to God’s guidance. The tongue is a mighty force, capable of shaping relationships, influencing emotions, and directing our paths. As followers of Christ, we must ask:

  1. Do my words reflect the heart of God?
  2. Am I responding to offense with patience and wisdom?
  3. Is my speech seasoned with grace, even in difficult conversations?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, teach us to speak with kindness, wisdom, and restraint. May our words bring healing, not harm; peace, not contention. Help us to listen before we speak, and to reflect Your love even in moments of frustration. Let our tongues glorify You and draw others nearer to Your truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.