‘The Lord gives his people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace.’
Psalm 29:11 NLT
Since we have been talking about love for a while, and yesterday we began to shift into how love translates in our relationships, I want you to see today’s devotional not only as directed towards romantic relationships, but for relationships in general. This is about friendships. Community. People you hire to come into your home or your space. Business relationships. All forms and kinds of relationships.
A question I get a lot is this: “How can I know that this person is for me? How can I know that this is the person God wants me to marry?” The answer is simple.
Peace. Peace is how you know. And what is this peace? Peace feels a lot like nothingness. It feels like you are looking for a problem, and you cannot find one. You are talking to God about it, and He is not really saying much, but there is a settled assurance on the inside of you.
No Peace, No Bueno
Now I am not talking about when you clearly know something is wrong and you are trying to force God to justify your decision. I mean, when you genuinely want to know, Lord, is this You? And instead of confusion, there is peace.
Peace is the blessing God gives as an endorsement for a decision, even in relationships. The moment you lose that peace, confusion has entered. And God is not the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33 NKJV).
The Bible calls Jesus the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6 NKJV). If He is in something, there will be peace. Even if there are adjustments to be made. There will still be peace in your spirit.
When God is involved in a relationship, one thing you will have is peace. When you begin to step outside His will, something in your spirit will not sit right. You may not have language for it, but you will know.
Stuck
I have seen someone begin to lose peace even before her introduction ceremony. She said she felt like she was making the biggest mistake of her life. She ignored it. On the morning of her church wedding, she said the same thing. By then, bride price had been paid. The traditional rites were done. She felt stuck. Years into that marriage, it was one battle after another. It took the grace of God to stabilise that home.
When God withdraws His peace, His blessing is not in that thing. Do not try to force God to accept what He has already told you is not good enough for you. Because if He permits you to go your own way, the lessons can be painful.
So ask yourself today, where am I losing peace? Which relationship constantly unsettles me? Which connection requires me to silence my spirit just to continue? If you are in a romantic relationship and your peace is gone, not small anxiety, not wedding nerves, but your peace is gone, separate yourself from it. Leave love first and save yourself. I’m not even joking. RUN!!!
Peace is a sign.
Prayer
Father, thank You because You are the Prince of Peace. I ask for sensitivity to Your Spirit. Where I have ignored the checks in my heart, forgive me. Help me not to override Your peace because of pressure, fear, or convenience. Give me the courage to walk away from any relationship where Your blessing is not present. Let Your peace rule in my heart (Colossians 3:15 NKJV) and guide every decision I make. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Shalom.
