The Circle Banner - Anyone can love the mountains, but it takes a soul to love the pairie

When I was about 20 years old, a friend and I were down in Oklahoma shopping at a mall. We wandered into a store and walked around for a few minutes. As we left the store, my friend turned to me and said she was glad to leave as being in the store made her feel icky. (My word - she probably said something much more intellectual sounding.)

She then asked if I felt it too. I lied and said, "Yes." I know I shouldn't have lied, but I was embarrassed to admit I didn't "feel" anything, although I understood why she did. What we discovered in that store were New Age decorations, crystals, occult themed items, etc...

God "talked" to my friend, a strong believer, that day through her feelings and her lack of peace. That's one way God communicates with us.

A few years ago I was talking to one of my friends about the topic of communication with God. When I mentioned God can communicate to us through His peace, my friend perked up and said, "That's a thing?!!"

She was excited and explained that this was the way God often spoke to her - she just didn't realize it was a "thing." It was one of the primary ways God guided her. As you can gather from my first story, it was further down the list for me. But ever since that day at the mall, I've been becoming more sensitive to this type of communication. Awareness is a great start as it often brings our attention to things we've been overlooking. As believers we can abide in God's peace, but we can also be led by it.

Colossians 3:15 (Amplified) says: "And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ's] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always].

We all have to make choices. And if we want to follow God's guidance and peace, first things first - we have to LET Christ be part of our decision making. Talk to Him about the decisions you have to make. As you consider the options with Him, at which one do you find His peace?

Sometimes you might discover in the initial stages that you don't have complete peace about either option. If you have to make a decision at that point, go with the one that holds the most peace. As we cover other ways God speaks, you may find He's talking to you in numerous ways at the same time, offering confirmation through them and additional direction. Don't be surprised if you're more sensitive to God's leading in one way over another. BUT, don't limit God to talking to you in just one or two ways. As always, everything said should line up with Scripture and be confirmed by it.

Just so you know, God's peace may not always sit well with your logic. I once heard about a man who had to choose between two jobs. He didn't have peace about taking the job with the higher salary, but still he considered it. His godly friends tried dissuading him from taking it, as they too didn't have peace about it. But he took it anyway, because, well, he would get paid more. In time he became involved in unforeseen situations due to this new job, ending his marriage and causing other major problems. God knows what's up ahead for us. It's better to live by God's peace than go by logic, worldly thinking, or popular opinion. Logic is great and has its place, but I don't put my trust in it. God is where true wisdom is found as, unlike logic, He knows how the story plays out.

God can give peace until clarity or answers come. I was at a track meet watching my kids participate when I noticed one of my kids limping after a race. Worry about the extent of the injury set in immediately. Then a sweet thought passed through my head, "I can pray about it." Peace fell on me at that instant, before I knew any details or the outcome.

Conversely, at times God will remove peace to call us to action before we fully understand what's going on. I've told my children more than once, if something feels off or wrong, even if you don't know why, leave or get out of the situation - that's the Holy Spirit talking. Thus, be aware if your feelings change without an obvious reason. You may notice when you step into a room something feels off or you lose your peace. Respond in a way that will return your peace.

Are you sensitive to God's peace or lack of it? Begin paying more attention. Even if you aren't an "emotional" person, God can speak to you in this way. Or maybe you've been called an "emotional" person, when in reality it's a God-given sensitivity to His Spirit.

Exercise: Do a self-check. Are there any areas of your life you aren't experiencing peace in right now?

Tip: If you aren't finding God's peace, ask God to show you why. Back track in your mind to the last place you were living in God's peace. What's changed since then?

Peace isn't living in denial or avoiding fear and difficult situations. True peace doesn't come from hiding in a hole. Having God's peace may not make sense in light of your situation or circumstances, but through Christ you can have it. Rest in it. Follow it. Live by it.