Today I woke up and felt discouraged with the issues surrounding our world and nation. This morning I had decided over coffee to hold off on my quiet time and spending time with God, until later in the afternoon. As the day went on, I found my soul on edge, sad, and definitely discouraged!
Fighting tears, I told my husband I was discouraged about everything in our culture and the implications of the virus; He lovingly responded by saying, “Seems like you need to spend time with God and read your Bible!” He was soooooooooo right!
Several minutes later, I took my daughter to the pool and opened up my devotional and Bible to find God was speaking right into my discouragement! Within moments he spoke right into my lack of focus on God and reminded me of the beautiful surrounding me!
Spending time with God didn’t make the virus disappear, or the pools and playgrounds reopen, or make all the tension and conflict in the world disappear! It calmed my soul, by giving me a God- centered perspective, rather than a worldly discouragement.
Yes, our world seems like it’s out of control! Yes, our nation feels like it’s gone completely mad! Yes, it feels inconsistent in rules, regulations, and what is acceptable for different groups of people! Yes, if I continue to focus on the news, Facebook, the closed pools & playgrounds around our nation, the disgruntled people from all political sides, and the struggles in our midst; I will feel downright discouraged, depressed, and frustrated! I will feel no peace, if I fail to seek God! When I seek God, I find a deep inner peace!
In fact, if I seek God’s face through reading my Bible, prayer, and worshiping him through song and nature; I will feel like rejoicing! I will have heathy and appropriate emotions and reactions to the world’s events! I will not be overcome with negative emotion, because I will have a deep peace and assurance that God is in control!
Today, I am thankful for a God who understands, loves unconditionally, is always in control, provides stability in the midst of instability, and calms his children in the midst of life’s storms and tribulations!
Friends, take some time and focus on Jesus today! Read his word, talk to him, worship him; You will find instantaneous peace in a world gone mad! You will find peace in a world of brokenness, tension, sadness, discrimination, and heartache!
John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
Blessings, Crystal
The Flame Within 
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