peace.

Do you have the peace of God which surpasses all comprehension?

One of my favorite passages of Scripture is Philippians 4:6&7: "Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication let your requests be made known to God and the peace of God which surpasses all comprehension will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

I love that God speaks through His word and that it's real and alive - it really helps during struggles. Through the Bible, God has definitely confirmed things I've been praying about and deepened my desire for Him.

This particular passage is such an awesome reminder to me! I've definitely prayed for this mysterious "peace" and have, in still more mysterious ways, received it. It's been really crazy. Those decisions that seem really huge on my radar totally fade away with the peace of God and I'm able to be content in Him and trust Him without worrying. Like I said, it's crazy.

A year ago I didn't know Spokane existed. I think somewhere far back in my head I knew there was a missionary aviation campus on this side of the country but I didn't think about it so much. Haley got into Moody Spokane a week before I heard back from the school and as soon as I heard about that I researched it a little bit but thought "Oh no, God doesn't want me to do that." I remember telling Mom that very thing when she asked if I would go if I were accepted to Spokane. I was certain that God wanted me at Moody Chicago or no Moody at all. Looking back, being certain of God's will wasn't a very good idea. I wasn't trusting Him at all, just my own instinct.

But anyway, you know the story. As soon as I opened the long-awaited letter from Moody, my eyes searched for the words that would seal my future. Accepted!
...to the Spokane, Washington campus. Um, what? I let out a momentary squeak of a prayer to God, asking Him what in the world He was doing.

And then I felt the peace of God. And it did indeed completely surpass my comprehension. I was completely at peace with moving 2700 miles away to a place I'd never even heard about. I don't understand it at all, even now, but I know it was Him. I had this feeling, five minutes after I opened the letter, that I would go to Washington.

I'm reminded of this because God is good. I thought I'd have some regrets or maybe some lingering doubt but I must have underestimated my Father in heaven. I love this life I've been given in Spokane, Washington. I've been so blessed to love my roommates, love the school I'm going to, and love God more through it all.