Practice Makes Peace

"These things I have spoken unto you, so that in Me you may have peace.  In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world."  John 16:33

Dishes to wash, laundry, vacuuming, dusting, scrub the bathrooms and the phone rings.  Frustration sets in - why? 

A meeting to attend, people to visit, letters (or messages in today's world) to write, lessons to study and someone comes to visit.  A feeling of needing to hurry it up almost overwhelms - why?

Each day, virtually every moment of every day, we are given opportunity to choose peace, but more often than not, we choose the emotion that feels as if it is suffocating us.  Again I ask - why?

And then we ask the question: Why doesn't God just take those feelings away and fill us with peace?

Yesterday I went to visit three of my grandchildren.  One of them crawled into my lap and said, "I can't hula hoop."  I said, "It's difficult, isn't it?  (a nod) But if we practice something over and over again, it becomes easier."  I received a modest smile and a nod and we went back to playing.

I believe this is what God is trying to tell us.  We have it within us to walk in peace, just as my grandchild had it within himself to hula hoop, but it takes practice.  God has given us the Fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control).  Peace is there for our use, but it takes practice. 
Last night I started to really feel the pressure to give in to trepidation.  I started praying and God spoke to my heart to choose to trust Him.  I admit it was a bit of a struggle for a moment, but as I practice doing so, I am getting stronger at it.

I was able to go to sleep and woke remembering that I am not to worry.  When things start pressing in, I need to climb up in the Father's lap and tell Him, "This is difficult, but I'm going to keep practicing until I get it right."