I have known, since I was a teenager, that a major lesson for me in this life is to learn to remain calm in the midst of chaos. I spent most of my life (inside myself) rushing around trying to do God's will. When there was turmoil all around me, I tried to bring peace and love into the situation. But, I just kept feeling the outer turmoil upsetting my inner peace, until I would become confused and agitated within myself. And then I would find that I was now part of the problem, as I'd been drawn into the chaos.

I didn't realize that the way I was trying to do things was an attempt to do things on my own - alone - even as I was constantly praying. I kept wondering why it wasn't working. I was doing everything I knew to do. Was I doing something wrong? Was I missing something? Had I misunderstood God's guidance?

On Sunday 15 May 2005, while listening to *Joel Osteen on television, I "got it!" Pastor Joel Osteen's sermon was entitled, "Enter Into God's Rest" (#266) and the verses he quoted were from the book of Exodus: Fear not; stand still (firm, confident, undismayed) and see the salvation of the Lord which He will work for you today.... The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace and remain at rest. - Exodus 14:13-14 (Amplified Bible (AMP) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation)

I understood what I had been missing. I needed to be still inside and see God work, instead of trying to do it myself. Inner turmoil kept getting in God's way and He couldn't bless my endeavors because I was not at peace within myself!

May God bless you with His peace and grace,
Donna Rose Stewart

Copyright © 2005 Donna Rose Stewart, All Rights Reserved