“Enough!” Restoring Peace

Frenzied anticipation for their walk elevated the canine energy to chaos level.  Happy leaps, flailing lashes and snapping teeth prophesied an impending eruption.

“ENOUGH!”

Restoring peace required a reprimand and a walk.  Sometimes God uses the same techniques on me.  When I see something I define as a need, I get busy!  I plan.  I work.  And things do not go well.  He faithfully steps in and rights my world.

God does speak.  He tells me, “Enough!” but I don’t always listen.  When I miss His voice, He uses other means of communication.  Usually I fail to hear because my ears are dulled by my own desires or plans, but sometimes I just don’t like what He has to say.  God quietly and confidently presses His purposes through by allowing me the freedom to create my own chaos.  He knows my choices will create unique pressure points sure to catch my attention.

Sometimes the message of, “Enough!” shows up in my physical health—nagging pain that slows me down or an illness that sidelines me.  Other times I hear the message through circumstances I cannot ignore:  an over-packed schedule, an empty wallet, the workplace, family connections, or relationship issues.  God knows that the competing pressures I allow to build will shatter my peace eventually, sending me running to Him.

As long as my maneuverings provide me an illusion of peace, I rarely choose to rest in God.  I rely on my ability to gain knowledge, manage demands and exercise control.  I create a false peace with structure that works for me–and it will work (for me) for a time.  Others may not fare so well; God will not be glorified; and eventually my idol of peace will topple.

It is then I begin to hear God say, “Enough,”—and the walk to restore peace begins.  God walks me though tearing down my idols, releasing my plans and repenting of my controlling ways.  The walk allows me to finally see the Prince of Peace!

Do you ever struggle with wanting to control things?  Control issues abound in our world because we tend to rely on our mind or body to take control; God intends for us to be Spirit-controlled.  Outside of Christ, control is a deception.  There are only two masters for humanity:  Creator God, or the enemy, Satan.

Ungodly control will either be excessive or non-existent.  Extreme control reveals itself in shattered relationships, domestic abuse, cutting, eating disorders and riots.  The absence of control blazes forth in obesity, addiction, workaholic behaviors and greed.  Ungodly control is deadly. (Galatians 5:18-21 offers great insight into what ungodly control looks like!)

Very few deliberately choose Satan as the ruler of their life; it happens by default.  All sin (including manipulation and control) stems from the desire to meet a need. God wants our needs met; He wants to meet them!  Spirit-controlled living is the design of God and the path to peace.

So, how can we find peace through hearing, “Enough,” and taking a walk?

Hearing “Enough!” means believing that our good and generous God has the desire and power to give us only the very best!  It means trusting Him with every desire of our heart—believing that He will give us just enough!

The walk lives out that belief.  No matter the circumstance that comes our way, we choose to believe God is enough to meet the demand.  We choose to believe that the struggles and blessings that come to us are in the exact quantity we need to produce His good purposes.

What area of life do you struggle to believe the Spirit of God can control for you?