I watched a sermon called Marked from Pastor Michael Todd of Transformation Church, who was preaching at Elevation Church. What an amazing message! That prompted me to locate him on youtube.com, where I found many of his message series done at his church. One was called the FruitFull series, which was on the fruit of the Spirit, found in the books of Galations and Ephesians. Part 6 of this series was entitled Peace Under Pressure. Being a caregiver, I wanted to hear his slant on the subject.

But also what stuck in my mind was reading on Facebook earlier this week of someone who went public with her diagnosis of having breast cancer, having recently having successful surgery with other treatments soon to  follow. As I saw the title of Pastor Mike’s message, I immediately thought of her.

Pastor Mike showed on the screen a picture of what he thought would represent peace, which was a beautiful sunset. Then the screen switched to a picture of a raging waterfall and dark clouds; needless to say it looked anything like peace. But in the middle of the rock where the waterfall was located, once the picture was zoomed in, showed a cleft in the rock, and there was a bird, fast asleep. Pastor Mike stated with all that was raging around, the bird found that spot to be a fitting place to grab some sleep, being peaceful in the process.

Pastor Mike spoke of what we do to obtain what we think is peace, but in actuality is a temporary escape to satisfy our need. We may think peace comes when we eat, go to the movies, watch our favorite show on tv, but the true peace has not been obtained. The true peace can only be obtained from the One who is the Prince of Peace, and escaping from the pressure we find ourselves under is available through the Holy Spirit, who is always ready to help in our time of need.

You have to listen to the sermon on youtube, but here are some points from it to consider:

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

• Life happens…you can’t control what happens around you (losing a job, family problems, health issues…). But you can accept the Advocate (Who Jesus promised would come when He left), so his help is available: use that help.
• While in the storm, your faith will be confronted: it will identify where you are. What pressure you do feel will only make you stronger.
• God promises peace, but he did not promise the absence of the storm or the pressure of it. 
• The above verse shows where you can find true peace – it is in Him, where you are to abide

Imagine  a weight set, and in this context the weights represent the pressure of the problem you are presently facing. While you may be able to lift the weights at first (and try to handle the pressure), lifting gets progressively more difficult as the pressure mounts; now doing this by yourself, your knees buckle and your arms are shaking, to the point you just can’t do it anymore. Perhaps as a temporary peace solution, many go towards alcohol, drugs, sex, and buying things we don’t need (this one is me), and so on.

But what would happen if, before lifting the weight, we ask the Advocate to help us. You may still have to deal with the raging storm of the problem,  but now there is Someone to help lift the weight of the storm with you, providing the lasting peace while under the weight of the pressure.

So whether you are a caregiver, or just a person who has a heap of problems to contend with, you never have to go it alone. Find the lasting peace that Jesus promises.

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27