Messed-Up Plans and the Peace of God

Dear Susie,

In your letter, you say you do not have peace because you
want to get into a certain summer program for next year, and you need to have
good grades, but you cannot get them good enough fast enough because of the way
you acted in study in the early part of the semester.

Now, sometimes God is gracious and allows you to have what
you want anyhow; however, along with forgiveness, there are permanent
consequences of sin that we have to live with. So you can have peace
whether you get good grades or not.

You should study hard in accordance with Colossians 3:23 and
Colossians 3:17.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working
for the Lord, not for human masters” (Col. 3:23).

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in
the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Col.
3:17).

God will give you peace whether you get what you wish or do
not get what you wish. Consider Philippians 4:4-7.

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let
your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about
anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all
understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Your peace should not be dependent upon the grades you get
or the program you get. Your peace should be dependent upon your walking in the
light, and you can have that kind of peace.

In His love,

Jim Wilson