Tag: confidence

Peace Like a River in the Midst of a Storm

by Ms. Rita's Minute

Judges 6:23-24
“But the Lord said to him, ‘Peace! Do not be afraid. You are not going to die.’ So Gideon built an altar to the Lord there and called it The Lord Is Peace. …”

How are you today? Do you sense God’s peace in your soul? How are you navigating your life’s journey amidst its difficulties? There’s good news if you’re struggling, as we all do from time to time.

Our difficulties may be:
(1) spiritual – blatant attacks of deception by our spiritual enemy, the devil, whose aim is to steal, kill, and destroy;
(2) relational – struggles with offense, forgiveness, starting, keeping, or avoiding various kinds of relationships; or
(3) financial – lacking resources for necessities

We have a God, our heavenly Father, who provides not only wisdom but peace in times of trouble or struggle. He is “Jehovah Shalom”, which means “The Lord is Peace” in Hebrew. It’s one of the names of God used by Gideon in the Book of Judges. The name denotes that God provides peace and wholeness, even in the midst of turmoil and uncertainty.


Judges 6 tells a powerful story of Gideon and God’s choosing of him to do a courageous thing in the peace of God.

Be sure to read Judges 6 and 7 to find out the amazing things that transpired after Gideon built an altar to the Lord called “The Lord Is Peace”, as well as how he defeated the Midianites in Judges 7.

Here are some scriptures to meditate upon when you are facing difficulties or struggles in life:

God’s Promises of Peace:

Romans 5:1
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

John 16:33
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

God’s Pathways to Peace:

Job 22:21
Agree with God, and be at peace; thereby, good will come to you.

Psalm 119:165
Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.

Isaiah 32:17
And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.

Accept Your Calling to Peace:

Colossians 3:15
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

Eradicating the Thieves of Joy

by Ms. Rita's Minute


Throughout life, many opportunities will be presented to steal the joy the Lord has provided. It may be something simple that is uniquely or commonly irritating. Or it may be a larger, jarring circumstance that may cause frustration, worry, and fear. These things seek to take the comfort, delight, and confidence we have in the Lord and replace them with doubt, anxiety, and discouragement.

I love Isaiah 41:13: “For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” What great comfort we have in this verse, remembering according to Galatians 3:29, “If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” So, with confidence, we can put faith in these words to apply to us as well as Israel.


Joy comes in reading what God reveals about himself and our relationship with him as his children. This is why we must make time to familiarize ourselves with the truth of the scriptures to strengthen our faith. We need to know the God whom we can rely on and what He’s promised us. Do the scriptures not tell us that He is our provider, avenger, refuge, strength, help, fortress, healer, counselor, etc.? All of these things and more should bring us great joy in facing any circumstance or just living our day-to-day lives. We should never forget that the Creator of the universe is always with us and promises to never leave nor forsake us.

Jude 1 reminds us that the Lord is able to keep us from stumbling and to present us before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy! Further, Romans 12:12 tells us to “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”


It will be a great advantage for us to schedule some time each day to engage with the Lord through the reading of His word and prayer realizing that according to Acts 2:28, He has made known to us the paths of life; and will fill us with joy in His presence.

So, let us not allow anything or anyone to steal the fruit of joy God has provided us through His Holy Spirit. We are greatly blessed!