Peace.

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:7.

With everything going on in our world today, peace isn't one of the first words to pop into my mind to describe our lives or the world we live in. Between the economy, unemployment, and the countless other issues happening right now, peace seems to be more of a luxury than a day-to-day reality; however, I can testify to the verse above.

For the past several months, my office has been going through a myriad of changes. From a new president to early retirement packages, it seems as if the whole company was (and still is for that matter) is a state of transition and waiting. Throughout this metamorphosis there have been an abundance of rumors encompassing the building. It's always fascinating to catch a glimpse of people huddled around someone's cubicle because you always know that is the location where the latest rumor is being discussed. I remember coming home one day and my roommate remarking about how tired I looked. I felt tired too. It was a normal work day so I didn't really know what was wrong with me. Did I have a cold coming on? I finally realized that I was tired because I was on this emotional roller coaster all day at work. I would hear a good thing.. then a bad thing.. then a good thing.. then two bad things. These rumors (NOT EVEN FACTS!) were wearing me out. From then on I decided that I had to be diligent in not participating in the rumor mill. So I worked very hard to avoid entering into those conversations because they never seemed to be productive anyway. I felt as though it stirred more worry and fear than anything. I'm not saying those huddled masses were ridiculous for doing that.. I get it. People tend to try to fill in the blanks were there are simply no answers. Instead, I chose to wait patiently for solid answers instead of grasping at straws. People would stop by my office to ask "what have you heard?" My answer has been the same for a while. "Nothing. I haven't been listening." Haha.. I literally said this today. I figure if something is concrete from the top of our chain of command, we will all know it anyway, right? I decided that I'd rather not be in the "know" on the latest rumor and I'd wait for a substantial answer from the top.

This has been surprisingly easy for me. I feel the need to also point out that this is not normal Ashley either. I am a perpetual worrywart. Yet, I was at peace with the situation. I may or may not have a job but I know that that Lord is faithful and that I need to put my trust in him. This doesn't mean that I will get what I want but I trust in his plan (I repeat Romans 8:28 to myself often), whether or not I am still am working where I'm working or not. I am also at peace with the new leadership and the direction the company is taking. I really believe that the Lord is involved and "doing this thing". So regardless of if I am still serving him here or somewhere else.. I trust in his plan (maybe a little Jeremiah 29:11 thrown in there too).

I had a conversation a few months ago with one of the guys I work with. He thought it was strange that I wasn't participating in the rumors. I think it seemed to him that I knew something he didn't so he called me on it. My answer had to have come straight from the Lord because I have no idea how this even popped into my mind. I said something to the effect of, "I just have peace about it. It's not security. I have no idea if I am going to have a job tomorrow or not. And it's not apathy. I am concerned about what is happening but I just have peace about it. I'm not sure who's been praying peace for me but it's definitely working." I know that the Lord used me that day, with those words, to encourage my co-worker. The peace that the Lord gave me encouraged another with his walk that day. This peace has been a peace that has spoken to my soul not to say "well, why should I even worry about this project.. who knows if I'll even be here in a few month" but says, "I am not working for man but for the Lord and I know this is what I am supposed to be doing for this season."

I don't write this today to say, "Oh look at me and how spiritual I am because I'm not gossiping." That's not it at all. I write this mostly to remind myself in the days ahead of the peace that God has given me in this season. A peace that truly transcends all my understand and really has guarded my heart and mind - and kept me sane! I also write this for you, dear reader. I pray that whatever your circumstances may be that the Lord will give you peace. The verse before Philippians 4:7 says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God" - Philippians 4:6. God is faithful, I know that for a FACT! Lean on him for your peace. Let him become your peace.

"For he himself is our peace" - Ephesians 2:14