I wanted to share with you a devotional that was included in my first newsletter. I’ll be sharing devotions here. I pray they are encouraging to you.

Peace Has Three Rs

She was losing it and her therapist told her to “Relax, Relate, Release.” That phrase has stayed with me even though it’s been years since the television show ended and longer still since that episode aired. I think I’ve never forgotten it because I thought it was pretty good advice. Don’t get uptight. Relax. Don’t just complain about the person. Find a way to relate to them and try to work it out. Don’t keep holding on to that baggage, bitterness and frustration. Release it and find peace. Sounds pretty good doesn’t it? But as good as that advice is, I’ll give you an even better trio of R’s. Recognize. Receive. Rejoice.

Recognize that God is God. He’s in control of everything. We don’t need to figure it all out. We don’t even have to know the master plan or see the big picture. That’s God’s job. What’s our role in this? “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5”7). Our role is recognize that we are free to simply follow and trust. Why take on more than you have to?

Receive the blessings God has for us. My disclaimer here is that it might not always be wrapped in the beautiful paper and pretty bows we’re expecting. Sometimes it comes in a form that looks and feels like death or pain. You know, the dirty dingy box with the damaged corner and the soiled brown paper? Well that may actually contain a beautiful gem of a blessing. We won’t know until we accept it, open it and receive the thing inside that eclipses the unattractive outside. But also enjoy receiving those blessings that arrive in full regalia leaving no doubt as to its purpose and origin.

Rejoice in the Lord always! I will say it again rejoice! (Philippians 4:4). Why is this good? God gives joy when we rejoice in Him. In Him we find everything we need for He is the creator and sustainer of all. One way to rejoice is to life your hands in praise to God. If we are holding on to problems, bitterness, anger, sadness, when we lift our hands we loosen our grip on it. That allows God to freely take it from our hand and place it in His. And because we recognize He is in control, we let Him have it. He then fashions it into a blessing, which we then receive back in our open and outstretched hand. Rejoicing brings us full circle back to the One who always was, is now and always will be. That’s peace at its best!

Now go Recognize, Receive and Rejoice!