Nothing Broken, Nothing Missing

by Jeanne Rogers

“This thing I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

The young woman made it through the most difficult part of her story then paused and took a breath as she looked at the sad expression on their faces. Her smile, in contrast, was radiant and her demeanor communicated the genuine joy and peace she had learned to receive.

Minutes before, she shared that her father had molested her over a period of ten years during her childhood. At the age of thirteen, she bravely told her mother what he had done to her. The mother’s immediate legal action and her father’s arrest, trial and imprisonment made their family crisis the big news of the small rural town where they lived.

As a result, her entire family—even the youngest siblings—suffered rejection and public shame for many years. Her own deep pain and humiliation developed patterns of destructive behavior. By the time she was 16, she got pregnant and aborted her baby.

She voiced what they were all wondering. “You probably wonder how I can smile after hearing my story. It is a miracle. You see what happened to me no longer defines who I am,” she stated confidently. “I am a new creation in Christ Jesus. I am forgiven and healed of my hurts. My past no longer has power over me. Honestly, I’m still dealing with fallout from the ordeal, but I have learned to process through the pain and emotions with God’s strength. He gives me His peace that passes all understanding.”

Her transformation happened four years before when she accepted Jesus as her Savior. She forgave her father, and she prays that God will use her to help her family heal. “That is my greatest challenge,” she said, “Because my brothers and sisters blamed me for the rejection and shame they suffered.” She lives in peace and confidence that God will bring good from all the terrible things that happened to her.

How do people like this young woman keep going in the face of such adversity? By believing and claiming what Jesus said that He would provide after his death on the cross.

The disciples heard many promises from Jesus in the days prior to his crucifixion. Jesus wanted to prepare them for what they would have to endure. He told them, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).

The Apostle Paul once called himself an ambassador in chains because he knew that God’s purpose for his life was bigger than the adverse circumstances he faced. Many people get “chained up” and look for an escape or attempt to make their situation go away. When Paul suffered, he faithfully represented Christ in the midst of his trial.

Standing strong and trusting God amidst tribulation gets our eyes off of self and earthly comforts. It also helps us maintain a more eternal perspective, as Christ did on His way to the cross. He knew the fullness of God’s power being released through His obedience.

The same power of God can flow through us if we are willing to surrender to God during times of pressure and personal crisis. We can have the heart of God molded in us and nothing can steal our peace.

“‘For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but My kindness shall not depart from you, nor shall My covenant of peace be removed,’ says the Lord, who has mercy on you” (Isaiah 54:10). The Hebrew word for peace is in this verse translates as Shalom, the literal interpretation meaning nothing broken and nothing missing.

Like the young woman who shared her story, you can stop satan’s attempts to trap you in a victim mentality. If you recognize your identity in Christ and receive His complete work on the cross, you can dwell in a peace that has nothing missing and nothing broken.

Paul described it this way. “I myself no longer live, but Christ lives in me. So I live my life in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

This Week
You can forget what is behind and live in His peace—in God’s covenant “shalom.” Whatever trial you are facing, ask the Holy Spirit to empower you to live Christ’s resurrected life as you process through the challenges.

Prayer
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3).