Gratitude Series Episode 9

Hello, my walking friend! Did you feel like walking today or did it take a little push to get you going? Either way, I’m glad you’re here and you should stand a little taller because you are making a difference in your body, mind, and spirit!

Today is the 9th episode in the gratitude series. In each podcast during this series we will take some time to focus on thanking Jesus for something specific and we will have two different verses to meditate on. Today we will be thanking Jesus for his peace.

Our first verse to meditate on is John 14:27:

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Jesus knows that in this world, in our lives, we are going to have trouble. He knows that we will face situations in our lives that will cause us to feel anxiety and fear. As someone who has personally struggled with anxiety and irrational fears, I treasure peace. Our brokenness can keep us from experiencing peace – broken bodies, emotions, and relationships. And sometimes it requires professional help to manage anxiety and fears. But even if that is the case for some of us, we can still experience the kind of peace that Jesus is talking about.

We can ask the Holy Spirit for help – to help us be filled with peace, to enlighten our minds when we read scripture so that the truths we read can sink deep into our minds, hearts, and souls. We can put our focus on Jesus and his promises instead of looking to the world for solutions to our fears and anxieties. You see, Jesus said that his peace is not of this world. Real peace is supernatural because it comes from him.

Our second verse for today is Philippians 4:6:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Take a little time now to meditate on today’s verses, to think about the peace that Jesus offers, and to thank him for it.

Did Jesus reveal anything special to you as you meditated on these two verses?

First, I just have to say that I love Jesus so much! Don’t you? The creator of the universe, the one who created all life, including human beings, came to earth as one of us. He suffered as we suffer… no, he suffered more, don’t you think? And he allowed us to see him in all his humanity – it both breaks my heart and comforts my soul. It breaks my heart because he did it for us. It comforts my soul because I know that when I struggle with anxiety, Jesus did, too. Think of the Garden of Gethsemane the night before Jesus was crucified. Jesus asked his closest companions to pray, but they fell asleep. He was in such anguish that he was sweating, and his sweat turned into blood. He was filled with sorrow to the point of death, so that God sent angels to strengthen him. All this over what he was about to face – and he was doing it for us. But once he put his focus back on his mission, his peace returned.

Let that sink in. Jesus understands your fears and anxieties on a personal level. His remedy to restore peace was to have a heavenly perspective. That is the peace he offers us – if we will shift our perspective, too. When we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, he can give us that supernatural peace that surpasses understanding. And that is something to be extremely grateful for.

Let’s take some time now to thank Jesus for the supernatural peace he offers us.

You are now at the halfway point of your walk. If you need to be back in 10 minutes, this would be the time to turn around and head back.

Now I am going to pray for us:

Dear Jesus,
Thank you for your peace. Thank you for being my savior. Thank you for being my hope. Thank you for giving me a supernatural peace during times of trouble. Help me remember to thank you always, in every circumstance, for your presence. Help me trust in you, Jesus, so that joy and peace can fill me. Thank you for the peace that comes from knowing, with all certainty, that one day I will walk with you in heaven. Thank you, Jesus, for walking with me always – in this life and in the life to come. Amen.

Here are some questions for you to consider:

Have you ever been in a situation when you knew you should have been anxious but you felt at peace instead? Think of that time now.

How does it make you feel to know that Jesus experienced human emotions, like anxiousness, while he walked the earth? Consider your answer now.

Studies have shown that being a grateful person reduces stress and increases happiness. So, what is something you can do to remind yourself to include words of thanksgiving whenever you pray? Think of ways now.

Before we wrap up, listen again to today’s verses:

John 14:27:

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Philippians 4:6:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Is there anything else you would like to talk to Jesus about? Remember, he is right there with you, walking with you, and he is eager for you to share all that is on your heart and mind with him. Take some time to talk to and thank Jesus now.

Well, you did it, my friend! Another 10 minutes of walking with Jesus. Are you feeling the supernatural peace that Jesus offers? If not, keep asking him, with a heart filled with gratitude, to give it to you. Remember, he is a promise-keeper!

Thank you for taking the time to walk with me today! But more importantly, you walked with Jesus, the peace giver! Keep your eyes focused on him, have a heavenly perspective, and watch your peace increase!
For more Walk with Jesus resources, including the Walk with Jesus 21 day scripture, devotional, and guided prayer journal book for walkers, go to WalkwithJesusDevotional.com. The November edition focuses on gratitude and is a part of this podcast series. You will find the URL for this book and other resources in the podcast show notes.

I hope we can walk together again tomorrow, friend. In our next episode we will be thanking Jesus for his word. Until then, God bless you as you walk with Jesus.