Wednesday, October 23, 2024

When Jesus told his disciples about his coming suffering and death, Peter’s response was fierce.

Matthew 16:22
“Heaven forbid, Lord,” he said. “This will never happen to you!”

From Peter’s perspective, this path made no sense. It seemed like a complete tragedy—nothing good could come from the cross. How could Jesus, the Messiah, willingly walk toward suffering?

Jesus saw beyond the cross to the greater purpose God was accomplishing. He responded sharply to Peter, saying, “Get away from me, Satan! You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s” (Matthew 16:23).

Peter’s viewpoint was limited. It focused on his immediate human feelings of losing his friend and teacher. His despair blinded him to God’s plan. Jesus’ words were a reminder that God's perspective is vastly different from ours. In his effort to demand a different outcome, Peter failed to recognize the peace that comes from surrendering to God’s will.

Peace is found in trusting God. When we cling to our desires and try to control our circumstances, we often end up disappointed and anxious. We only see the pain, the loss, or the inconvenience, much like Peter did. But when we let go and choose to trust God's perspective—accepting that he is at work, especially in our struggles—we experience a peace far better than anything we could achieve alone.

Jesus knew that the cross would be painful. He also knew it was the only path to our eternal life with him. What seemed like the ultimate defeat was actually the path to victory. If Jesus had avoided the cross, there would have been no resurrection, no redemption.

Peace comes when we stop demanding our own way and start trusting God. Letting go of the need to control allows us to embrace his purpose for our lives, knowing that he brings beauty from our brokenness and strength from our struggles. Peace finds us in our surrender. Our disappointments are not the end of the story. God’s perspective sees the complete picture, and he is using every situation to lead us into a deeper, more abundant life in him.

Questions:
In what areas of your life are you clinging to your own desires and struggling to trust God’s plan? How might letting go bring you greater peace?

Think about a time when a difficult situation eventually led to something good. How can reflecting on that experience help you trust God’s perspective in your current challenges?

Next Steps:
This week, identify one area where you’re struggling to let go. Pray daily about it, asking God for help to surrender and trust his plan. As a sign of release, write down your concerns and place them somewhere meaningful, like at the foot of a cross or in a prayer journal.

Share your journey with a trusted friend and ask for their prayers. This can strengthen your faith and inspire others to trust God's bigger picture in their own lives.

Prayer:
Lord, I come to you with open hands, ready to let go of my need for control. Help me trust your greater plan, even when I don’t understand it. Grant me the courage to surrender my worries and find peace in your presence. Guide me to see beyond my struggles and recognize the beauty you bring from brokenness. May my faith inspire others to trust in your goodness. Amen.

Series Theme Verse:

John 16:33
"I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

***Do you love to write? Have you ever considered sharing Jesus through your writing? If so, consider writing for the LivingItOut! We are always looking for new writers to share their gifts with our readership. This might be the exact opportunity God is asking you to be open-handed with! To learn more, please contact livingitout@cedarcreek.tv***

This post was written by Monique Myers, a regular contributor to the LivingItOut Devotional.