Finding Peace
By Diana Samuel, Pune, India
Scripture Reading
Colossians 3:13
John 14:27
Romans 8:5-6
I was having a perfect and peaceful life, with a good, understanding, and loving husband, and two adorable children who had completed their graduation and were working. No more tension over their fees or exams. Good house, good returns from my self-employment. In short a perfectly joyful life, not lacking anything. And because everything was happening as per my wish and will, me and my daughter were having a great relationship with God.
But on 19 April 2022, within 15 minutes between 8:30 and 8:45 am, my life shattered to pieces. My joy and my peace were overturned when my son breathed his last.
In the Bible, Job lost all his possessions—along with his children—in a single day. He responded by saying, “From my mother’s womb I had come out naked. I will return there naked, where it came from. The Lord had given, the Lord took it. Blessed be the Lord. These four calamities befall Job, but he did not sin, nor did he make any foolish accusation against God” (Job 1:21-22).
What my daughter and I did was exactly the opposite. We both blamed everything on God, severed our relationship with Him, and stopped talking and listening to Him. My peace turned into bitterness not only for God but for all the people who were not there when I needed them the most: my family and my friends.
Philippians 4:9 says, “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me, - put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” But I was angry with God. I was trying to find peace and solace in the people around me, which I never found.
But my husband never left me alone. He made sure that I kept going to church and weekly devotionals with him, listening to the Word, meeting the disciples, and talking to or crying with them. A few of them were always ready to sit with, listen to, and cry with me. It encouraged me to turn to God in prayer, experiencing His love, and allowing the peace of Christ to take effect within me, echoing the words from Colossians 3:13: “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, as members of one body, called to live in peace. And be thankful.”
Because of my loss, unbearable pain, sorrow, and grief, I had severed myself from the body of Christ. I was not allowing His peace to rule in my heart and, as a result, I was fighting all of that completely alone and with my own strength, and it was making me more bitter towards God and others. Without my loved one, I felt my patience slipping away, and life seemed devoid of meaning. I couldn't bear living with this pain any longer.
Romans 8:6 spoke truth to my experience, affirming that “the mind controlled by the flesh leads to death, but the mind governed by the Spirit brings life and peace."
Constantly consumed by thoughts of not being able to live alongside my son and cherish life's moments with him, I completely lost my peace and forgot about God's promise.
“Brothers and sisters we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him. According to the LORD’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with Lord forever.” 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 (NIV)
The hope of reuniting with my son and spending eternity with him reignited my faith in God the Father, bringing back a measure of peace into my life.
Although I still face moments of struggle and emotional breakdowns, I turn to God with my questions. He doesn't reject or become upset with me. Instead, He allows me to cry and communicates with me in His unique ways.
Finally, this is my prayer for all the brothers and sisters in Christ who are burdened by the anxieties of this world and relentlessly perceiving peace: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” Romans 15:13 (NIV).
Questions for Reflection
- What does “peace” mean to you? Write a definition in your own words. Review some of the verses above to help you.
- What do you think it means, in Romans 8:6, when it says that “the mind governed by the spirit is life and peace”? Why do you think a Spirit-led mind would lead to peace?
Today I will
Try to identify the things that are worrying you and taking away your peace. Surrender them in the hands of Jesus Christ and He will bless you with His peace.
“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.”
John 14:27 (NIV)
About the Author
I am Diana Samuel from Pune, India. I was baptized on 11 October 1998 at Pune Church. I am married with two kids, though my son has passed away. I work as a beautician. I have led a family group in Pune with my husband for the past 23 years. We have served in different ministries all around the inside and the outskirts of Pune.
26 Comments
Dec 15, 2023, 1:19:14 PM
Ingrid Le - Diana, I can't imagine your pain in losing your son. I appreciate your genuineness. Thank you for being an example of perseverance, hope, and loyalty to God.
Dec 8, 2023, 6:43:42 PM
Jocelyn - Amen! Thank you so much Diana, for sharing your heart and pointing out where to find real peace. Romans 8:6 and Colossians 3:13: is a great reminder for me specially this days i need God's peace.
Dec 7, 2023, 2:11:18 PM
Ximena Pulido - Thank you for the scripture Romance 8:6 it’s a scripture I need to keep close to my heart as I’m learning to trust God with my health
Dec 6, 2023, 7:39:27 AM
Nzinga Harden - Thank you for reminding me of God's peace
Dec 5, 2023, 7:20:53 AM
Nneka olufowobi - Thanks so much Diana for sharing your life story. In many challenges i have gone through i have seen that peace that passes all understanding comes from God almighty though it wasn't easy understanding this at first.
Dec 5, 2023, 7:09:53 AM
Rhea Mae - Thank you Diana. Awesome message. Reminding me that if we rely in God we experience peace that the world can't give. Amen. 🙌
Dec 5, 2023, 4:20:49 AM
Michelle hillyer - Thankyou for sharing your experience. I am so encouraged by how you could see past peoples reactions( or inactions) from church . I have learnt some dont want to bring back the hurt by bringing the subject up - so they are actually behaving out of love . I too have experienced this/ felt very bitter for years until this was revealed to me by someone else. How great that Jesus would understand and God is always listening, loving… and looking forward to the day when you are reunited with your son . Bless you sister . Praying for peace and fulfilment only the holy spirit can bring xx Michelle ( Australia) xx
Dec 4, 2023, 11:58:33 AM
Jessica - Awesome message!!
Dec 4, 2023, 1:45:15 AM
Omobola Abolarinwa - Thank you for sharing. God's spirit brings peace and calmness in the face of calamity.
Dec 4, 2023, 1:30:25 AM
Sekai - Thank you Diana for your story and thank God for using your husband to be your pillar of strength during the difficult time
Dec 3, 2023, 11:34:58 PM
Wendy Nugent Hislop - Thank you for sharing your heart, grief is very overwhelming and challenging. Thanks be to god for your pereverence,love, faith and hope. May god bless you and yours, and your ministry fruitfully continually blossom.
Dec 3, 2023, 1:37:06 PM
Ngozi.Celestina.Onyemanze - Very sorry for your loss is God that gives and take for reseanes
Dec 3, 2023, 1:32:07 PM
Beauty Afamoh - Thank you so much my dear sister and i'm so sorry for the passing away of your son. I appreciate you sharing your life story with us. Is really encouraging for me because this is what i need right now after going through pains and heart break of the death of my sister last year and now my brother inlaw. But my hope in God's word in Thessalonians 4 vs 13 -17 constantly gives me peace and the courage to bear the loss and overcome life challenges. Thank you so much for inspiring me. God bless your home sister Diana. Much Love
Dec 3, 2023, 10:08:48 AM
Fornessa Randal - I am constantly seeking peace in my life from thoughts about things and people that I cannot control. Thank yiu for your openess and sharing your headache and constant journey back to God.
Dec 2, 2023, 8:05:06 PM
Srilakshmi - Inspiring, how you navigated all your thoughts, emotions and feelings through God and His word. Thank you so much.
Dec 2, 2023, 7:02:56 PM
Nico - I'm sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing your story.
Dec 2, 2023, 11:24:40 AM
Diana Samuel - Thank you everyone for all the encouragement
Dec 2, 2023, 7:47:40 AM
Sandra Simmons - Thank you so much for sharing your story! First, I am so sorry for your loss. I just recently (2 months ago) lost my mother.. It is still very fresh. I have been caught being busy with life and your devotional has reminded me to slow down and sit in the grieving process. I could relate to when you said "life seemed devoid of meaning". This is where I am right now, but holding on to my God. He is the only thing (and my kids) that really matter right now, so I will hold on to him and keep walking in faith. I know he will get me there.
Dec 2, 2023, 6:02:32 AM
trisha marchewka - Thank you for sharing your heart
Dec 2, 2023, 5:12:29 AM
Sapna - Thank you so much for sharing the painful story. Appreciate you that putting hope in Christ resurrection, we all can meet your son one day. Love you dee🤗
Dec 2, 2023, 4:25:20 AM
Tammy Fleming - Thank you so much for sharing your story with honesty and integrity. I am so sorry for the loss of your son 💔. Rejoicing with you in the hope of resurrection 🙏🏻🙌🏻
Dec 2, 2023, 12:06:05 AM
Sukanya - Thanks for sharing For me it's deep to understand but I would like to know
Dec 1, 2023, 11:51:43 PM
Piduru srilatha - Thanks for sharing about how to have a peace.
Dec 1, 2023, 11:47:37 PM
Margaret Lagali - I am so proud of you Diana... you are so real.... thank you for sharing your pain.... I feel so connected to you.. I know you will lead many to Christ even through this pain...
Dec 1, 2023, 10:55:39 PM
Elizabeth - you both are very strong and loving and caring personality
Dec 1, 2023, 10:27:38 PM
Salomee - Good to hear this from you dear... Even after going through the biggest loss you still have faith and peace which is so encouraging and uplifting... thanks for such an amazing sharing... Love you