Faith

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Gloria J. Bell, Ph.D.
19009-116 S. Laurel Park Rd.
Rancho Dominguez, CA 90220
562-665-4683
Word Count 1,071


Peaceful Pocket

It is not uncommon for environmental conditions in the south to spawn tornadoes whenever there is a heavy rain storm. Forecasts of severe thunderstorms are normally accompanied by tornado watches that can very quickly escalate into tornado warnings. In the howling tornado winds, a severe thunderstorm’s laterally blowing; swirling torrents of rain add impetus to the impact of the reckless funnels. The sound is like a speeding freight train barreling out of control right outside the dwelling walls. That’s what awakened me in the middle of the night. With my husband out of town, my first impulse was to run and gather my young children at the time and rush to the safest place in the house. When I arrived in their bedroom, they were fast asleep, peaceful; totally oblivious to the horrid sound of the threatening storm. It was as though I had revisited the place of peace in the hull of the ship where Jesus lay during the tempestuous storm at sea. Should I, like the disciples, cry out to them to get up and call upon their god?
Taken aback by their peace, my entire fear-filled being calmly melted between their beds. With the tempestuous winds howling right outside the nearby window forcefully splattering the rain against the house, I prayed for the angels to surround our home and make it a pocket of protection, then sat on the floor praising God for the peaceful pocket in the midst of the storm. Soon there was no doubt that God had pronounced His, peace be still, for the tornado passed over, the calm returned and we were unharmed.
Walking into their bedroom was like entering into a peaceful shelter. I could feel the presence of God there. He that keepeth thee will not slumber.1 I could not have generated the peace I felt. My spirit was not at peace, so I had no peace to contribute to the atmosphere, more less to the young children who should have been able to look to me for security. It becomes clear during such times that peace originates with the Peacemaker and is given to us as a gift. The only time peace is needed is when the pocket has been depleted by life’s storms, when the peace within us has been usurped by such peace-depleting stressors as fear, anger, distress, depression, jealousy, apparent failures, etc. When tribulation storms our life and foul spirits enter our heart, the restoration must come from a source outside of self. Like the joey (baby kangaroo) that leaps into its mother’s pouch sometimes even head first when frightened, it is reassuring to know there is a hull at the bottom of our sinking ship, a peaceful pocket in the hands of Jesus that we can run to and curl up in safety.
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
Perhaps one of the most thoughtful acts in all the Bible was the one Jesus announced just before leaving to return to his Father in heaven. It was as though he knew that, like the tiny joey, we too would have desperate times when our spirit has lost it altogether; times when we would need to reach out in the dark for God’s powerful hand, run to his presence in the hull of our battered ship, and know we are safe in his peaceful pocket. As a sensitive and reassuring friend, he left us with the endearing message found in John 14:27:
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.
Unlike the promise of peace by heads of warring nations, God’s peace concerns itself with our relationship with Christ during those raging storms, and beyond the resolved turbulences that assail. Long before deliverance comes, before the storm passes over, while the winds of strife are still raging and we are in the midst of trouble, we can experience a peace that passes all understanding. And it shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus2 during the battle and long after. There is no need to wait until the battle is over, the shout of victory can start in your pocket of peace right now and last for a lifetime.3
Back in the 1960’s, following the terrible race riots throughout the United States, it was not uncommon to see passersby quickly holding up two fingers in a “v,” which has become a symbol of peace and fairness among Americans. Above all, the name of Jesus is synonymous with peace. He gave his life for it. Although this life is laced with storms, our peace comes in knowing that storms are under God’s control and therefore the ship of our soul need only be anchored in the Lord.
We can lean the walls of our fainting heart against Jesus, our strong tower while we stand on the promises of Christ our Lord. He will spread a banquet table before us in the presence of our enemies and fill our empty cup of fear with living water so that we’ll never thirst again. Our fragile steps will be ordered by the Lord on a path lit by the truth of His Word. We need only to let the peace of God rule in our hearts.4 In the hull with Jesus, living our praise songs of faith, hope and victory, we’ll soon realize the storms have passed over and the sun shines bright again.

Daily, in His peace, we can cultivate balance and perspective regardless of the turmoil that encompasses us. We’ll find our pocket of peace not only a safe place when trouble comes, but much more. A relationship of peace in Jesus is a precious haven that we’ll never want to, or have to, leave again. Let him take hold of my strength, that he may make peace with me; and he shall make peace with me.5 This peace, in Jesus alone, can be ours in good times and bad, in health and in sickness, in times of joy as well as times of sorrow.
Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means.
The Lord be with you all. 2 Thessalonians 3:16

1 Psalm 121:3
2 Philippians 4:7
3 1 Thessalonians 5:23
4 Colossians 3:15
5 Isa 27:5

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