It’s often said our levels of peace and joy are connected to our thoughts and attitude. That can be true but it really goes deeper than that.

 

When we are lacking joy and peace it’s usually because we are angry, fearful or worrying; which really comes down to not trusting God.

If I’m holding on tightly to life situations, trying to control potential outcomes or just plain angry about the circumstances, there’s no way I am trusting God.

One of my life verses is Romans 15:13 which reads:

So I pray that God,  who give me hope, will keep me happy and full of peace as you believe in him. May you overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. (NLT)

Over the last decade I’ve taken many verses and rewritten them in first person affirmations. Then I declare them over my life and the life of my friends and family. Here is Romans 15:13 rewritten as an affirmation:

The Lord of hope fills me with all joy and peace as I trust in Him. I overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. ~ Roman 15:13

If I truly believe this verse, the more I trust God, the more joy and peace I will have. And not only that, I will be overflowing with power from the Holy Spirit which will help me battle the life situations that are trying to suck life from me.

I want to encourage you to meditate on this verse. Maybe even rewrite it in words that speak to you. I promise you will find yourself more hopeful, more joyful and more peaceful as a result.  Blessings…

 

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