"Shifting Focus: Finding God's Peace Amid Life's Frustrations"

Frustration VS God's Perfect Peace

After getting back home, I heard the dog barking and knew it was time to take her out. I grabbed her leash and headed out the door. She doesn’t like the leash; every time I put it on, she seems to focus entirely on it, forgetting the real reason we're outside. While we’re out there, I find myself constantly correcting her, saying, "Girl! You need to focus on going to the bathroom, not on this leash!" But of course, she doesn’t listen—she just goes in circles, trying to bite at her own neck.

God spoke to me through my dog’s frustration. Many of us have been doing the same thing in our lives. We are so focused on what seems to be our oppression—the yoke around our necks—that we forget what God has told us to focus on during this time. The collar on my dog’s neck represents a yoke, a problem we cannot remove on our own. We say we’ve submitted it to God, but like my dog, we’re still biting at our own necks, trying to remove it ourselves.

As her owner, I have the power to remove the leash, and I will—once we’re back in the house. Similarly, God, our Father, has the power to remove our burdens, and He will—after we come into His house, the potter’s house, for healing. The dog’s purpose at that moment was to go outside and rid her body of waste. Our purpose is similar—God is asking us to release what we’re holding onto right now. Yes, the mountain is still there, but didn’t you surrender that to Him? Trust that He will take care of it, and focus on purging the waste that has built up from previous seasons.

Today, let’s self-reflect on frustration versus God’s perfect peace. Below are some scriptures to meditate on. While you reflect, ask yourself: What is holding you back from receiving God’s perfect peace today, and what can you change to receive it? Remember, when considering change, focus only on what is within your control.

Serenity Prayer God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

Reflection Scriptures

• Ephesians 6:12-13: "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world."

• 2 Chronicles 20:15: "He said, 'Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the LORD says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.'"

• Matthew 11:28-30: "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

READ: Luke 5:17-26 The story of the paralytic in Luke 5:17-26 shows friends carrying a heavy burden by bringing their paralyzed friend to Jesus for healing. They recognized they couldn’t save him themselves, but they could bring him to Jesus for help.

Reflect on how this story speaks to your life today.