Wit’s End is not the End: Real Peace

When we’re at wit’s end, it’s not the end, but an opportunity for Christ to show Himself as the beginning and the end.

Because Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega, real peace begins with Him.

Plenty of times in my life, I felt anything but peaceful. And I desperately wanted to refocus my mind and redirect my heart.

I desired to embody the peace Christ makes available to me.

Still, I felt nothing but frustrated and overwhelmed in the circumstances.

Yet, in an uncertain world, there is an undeniable peace, an unshakable anchor for our soul.

Even when bad things happen, the peace of Christ never changes and remains constant.

It offers security strengthening the weariest of souls.

Christ speaks words of peace over us. He applies the Spirit’s soothing balm to our deep wounds and restless minds. Jesus calms our last nerve.

So here are five ways to refocus our heart to find P.E.A.C.E when we arrive at wit’s end.

P-Pray

Sometimes we pray as a last resort. Which is the place we find ourselves at wit’s end. Perhaps if we started out our day by praying instead of diving into our daily routine and checking our phone and email, our heart would prove more peaceful. And our mind becomes more thoughtful about what lies ahead and how to ask the Lord for help.

Take time to pray first before thinking too much or talking too much with people other than God. And ask God for His peace, real peace.

E-Evaluate

Evaluate our priorities. Sometimes we bring wit’s end on ourselves. Do we have projects to work on, activities to schedule, or commitments to fulfill (maybe overcommitted)? Consider what’s important to keep and what we can let go. Then, delegate tasks to those in our family so we feel less overwhelmed.

Finally, let’s make sure God is our top priority for spending time with, consulting, and worshiping.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27 (ESV)

A-Accept

Accept God’s peace. But here’s a warning: culture’s slick-selling guise tries to convince us of copycats, disguised in other forms.

A deception of “ifs.” If I married, landed the right job, had children, made more money, fulfilled my dreams, numbed the pain, and resolved conflict, then peace would come.

Herein lies the demise: even when our “ifs” come true, things or people never bring peace. When the numbing wears off, the pain returns. Relationships easily turn chaotic. Money never satisfies. Dreams sometimes wake us from a slumber of unmet realities.

When we need peace, we must go to the source of peace. God’s the author and sustainer of peace.

The origin of peace lies in a Savior.

Christ made peace on our behalf becoming our advocate through the cross.

“For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of the cross.” Colossians 1:19-20 (ESV)

C-Choose

We make choices every day. Likewise, we get to choose peace over chaos, people over preparations, and Jesus over everything. These choices decide if we travel down the road to wit’s end or lead us to God’s peace.

“For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed. But my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you.” Isaiah 54:10 (ESV)

E-Enter

Entering into God’s rest brings real inner peace. Sure, there are daily details to attend to. But we also make sure we purposefully lie down in green pastures and let the Good Shepherd lead us beside still waters (Psalm 23:2).

We are mindful to consistently enter into God’s presence.

Practice P.E.A.C.E. to take the necessary detour from wit’s end to God’s abundant peace. Pray, evaluate, accept, choose, and enter.

Ask the Lord to help you with each way to acquire real peace in your heart from the Prince of Peace.

Wit’s End: Looking for Peace

Here are some additional scriptures to meditate on.

“The Lord blesses his people with peace.” Psalm 29:11b (NIV)

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)

Featured images used from filimg for our YouTube Channel, Friday’s Forever.

Also see, How God’s Peace Outshines it All.