Moving 

 I wanted to let you know that I have moved my blog from this sight to Word Press.  You may find the new sight at: https://naomigerbs.wordpress.com/.

I hope and pray you continue to follow me on the new sight.

Blessings.

Naomi Anderson

Peace During the Tough Things in Life

                                    

Oh, what a year it is already and its barely started.  Just when I thought 2020 was just one of those years and I believe we all were hoping 2021 would be better.  In trying to decide on how I would write this blog, I really had to pray about it and pray for peace within me.  Then there is just life which we go through as a widow!  Many of us have been walking this path for a long time and others are fairly new to this journey.   How do we find peace when we are lonely?  Especially when there seems to be so much turmoil going on with us and around us!

How do we handle this when life is unsettling and we’re not sure if it is ever going to calm down?  Will we get to the point that we will be able to sit back and feel God’s presence around us?  God promises to be with us during these difficult times.   One scripture that sums up God’s blessings is from Numbers 6:24 – 26:  The LORD bless you, and keep you; The LORD makes His face shine on you, and be gracious to you; The LORD lifts up His countenance on you, and give you peace.’  The difficult part is believing it isn’t it? 

Perhaps we really need to just look at the things we have gone through where we have found peace – God’s peace.   Often times it’s just the simple things that give us peace.  

But then, there are huge things that happen that we cannot control.   How do we find handle this?   Luke 10:6 reads: If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not it will return to you.   I suggest you seek out another widow who has walked down this path.  Perhaps some things you may learn from them are: 

• Look for ways for self-approval.
• Learn to love yourself unconditionally.
• Work on self-confidence.
• Learn to please yourself and not others. 

There is one song that says it all to me.  It’s called the ‘God on the Mountain’.  My favorite rendition of this song is sung by Lynda Randle.  If you would like to listen to it, you can find it here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZKZoM109n4.

The lyrics are:

[Verse 1]

Life is easy, when you're up on the mountain

And you've got peace of mind, like you've never known

But when things change and you're down in the valley

Don't lose faith, for you're never alone

[Chorus]

And the God on the mountain is still God in the valley

When things go wrong, He'll make them right

And the God of the good times is still God in the bad times

The God of the day is still God in the night

[Verse 2]

We talk of faith when we're up on the mountain

But talk comes so easy when life's at its best

But in the valley of trials and temptations

That's when faith is really put to the test

[Chorus]

And the God on the mountain is still God in the valley

When things go wrong, He'll make them right

And the God of the good times is still God in the bad times

The God of the day is still God in the night

The God of the day, is still God in the night

Who do we seek to help us go through this journey?  I urge you to contact another widow who has walked this path.  They are very instrumental in listening to what you have to say.  In Matthew 5:9 it reads:   Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.  Someone who has walked your journey, may help you find peace with what you are going through. 

There are also several books that are great to read.  Such as:

• From One Widow to Another written by Miriam Neff
• The God of All Comfort written by Dee Brestin
• Finding Norm written by Jana Berndt
• Words to Live By written by Sarah Kroenke

What are some other things we can do to find peace?   Perhaps reaching out to your pastor, Rabbi or Priest.   You may contact me, or go to the website for the Widow Might Organization at:  https://www.widowmight.org/contact/.  Once Covid-19 is downsized and we can get together, we will do that.   Or at least here in Minnesota, once the weather warms up, we can get together to social distance outside.  Oh, how I miss that!   How do we find peace?  For sure our peace comes from God

A church I attended years ago, always ended each service with this blessing.  It is found in 2 Thessalonians 3:16 and it reads:  Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all.

My prayer is that you feal God’s peace and presence around you.

Blessings to each of you!