Week Five: Peace That Surpasses All Understanding

**Written during my pregnancy with Sophia**

My OBGYN’s office is a teaching practice, which means there are always quite a few medical students around. The students usually take my vitals and ask initial questions before my doctor enters the room. With that said, every month I am asked the same questions about my pregnancy history. They ask, “how many pregnancies have you had and how many live children?” I’m currently pregnant with my fourth child who will be my second living child, so understandably this question stings.

When I answered it recently, my mind began to wander to that negative space for a moment – that “why” space where many of my questions about losing my children in pregnancy are still unanswered. But immediately, I took that thought captive and thought about those things that are lovely – my now 16-month-old son and the fact that I’ll be holding another beautiful child in my arms in a matter of 5 months.

When I left my most recent visit, my doctor commented on how calm I am with this pregnancy. I told her it’s because I know everything is going to be just fine. Then I remembered why: it’s the peace of the Lord that surpasses all understanding. God knows my daily request is to birth a healthy, whole baby. I thank Him in advance for delivering this fourth miracle that I am carrying. I pray His word over me and it will not return void! Yes, I am calmer than I’ve ever been with this pregnancy – and by His grace, I’ll remain that way.

Reflection:

1. What unanswered “whys” are you willing to release today? Even without an answer on this side of eternity, are you still willing to trust God with your whole heart?
2. Take a moment to allow God’s peace to wash over you. Tell him your requests, thank Him and meditate on His goodness. You’ll begin to find it easier to trust Him as you remember how He’s never left you nor forsaken you.

Scriptures for Meditation and Memorization:

2 Corinthians 10: 4-5 NIV

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Philippians 4: 6-9 NLT

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

Isaiah 55: 10-13 NLT

“The rain and snow come down from the heavens
    and stay on the ground to water the earth.
They cause the grain to grow,
    producing seed for the farmer
    and bread for the hungry.
¹¹ It is the same with my word.
    I send it out, and it always produces fruit.
It will accomplish all I want it to,
    and it will prosper everywhere I send it.
¹² You will live in joy and peace.
    The mountains and hills will burst into song,
    and the trees of the field will clap their hands!
¹³ Where once there were thorns, cypress trees will grow.
    Where nettles grew, myrtles will sprout up.
These events will bring great honor to the Lord’s name;
    they will be an everlasting sign of his power and love.”