New Year, New Waves of Peace

The term “new year, new you” is a popular buzz word every January. We are bombarded practically every day with talk about “new” – new ideas, new goals, new exercise programs, new diets, new resolutions, new political issues, new news, and new stuff we should buy.

There is lots of chit chat about the importance of “new”, however, the one thing all of us hope the new doesn’t bring is new reasons to stress. Yet, as the year progresses, we will most likely run into a few new problems and new challenges.  As if last year’s problems weren’t stressful enough!

But although our reasons to stress may be new to us, or may have just carried over from the prior year,  thank goodness Jesus is not new at helping us get through them. He has been providing stress relief to people for thousands of years, no matter what specific problem was causing the stress.

One of my favorite verses in the bible is Matthew 11:28 which says, “Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”

Each time I read this verse, I feel a wave of comfort wash over me. I can envision Jesus stretching out His arms with a smile on His face, summoning me to come to Him, and then melting into His holy hug, while He soaks in all the burdens I have been carrying.

If only we could remember to close our eyes and let our minds take us to that peaceful place when we feel like we are stressed beyond our ability to cope.  If only, we would pause long enough to purposefully ask for His peace, and then expectantly wait for it. If we all did that each and every day, I wonder how different our lives would be. And even moreso, I wonder how different our world might be.

Although our reasons to stress may be new to us. they are not new to Jesus. He is just as capable of bringing peace and rest to those who are stressed in 2013, as He was last year, and all the thousands of years preceding that.

If there is one new thing we can do this year that will impact our life in a positive way, it is to commit to remember to seek peace from Jesus every day – especially on the most busy and stressful of days when we think we don’t have time to pause.

As promised in my Proverbs 31 devotion today, I am giving away a signed copy of my new book Stressed-Less Living: Finding God’s Peace In Your Chaotic World – AND – as a special bonus – I’ll also include a copy of my one hour audio message called Staying Afloat In A Sea of Stress.

book cd

How cool would it be if a wave of God’s peace and rest began to wash over our country in a powerful way today?! By entering to win the book and CD, you’ll play a huge role in starting a powerful wave of peace flowing – and also, you might help someone who thought peace wasn’t possible – discover that it is.

 

To enter to win the book, just do the two quick things below: 

1) Leave a brief comment expressing your commitment to pause and seek His peace for the new year, then

2) copy and paste one of the statements below to Facebook or Twitter so you can help keep the wave of peace flowing

TWITTER:

Are you longing to replace stress with peace? Visit @traciewmiles book website  to enter to win her new book and CD https://tinyurl.com/9zyulxm

Enter to win a signed copy of @traciewmiles new book & CD & help start a national wave of peace today. Find details at https://tinyurl.com/9zyulxm

FACEBOOK:

(type Tracie Miles) is starting a wave of peace today, and I am helping get that wave started!  Visit Tracie’s blog to enter to win a signed copy of her new book, and one of her CD’s, and find out how you can help spread the wave too! https://tinyurl.com/9zyulxm

Wouldn’t it be great if a wave of peace washed over our country today? Join me in keeping the wave going by entering to win a copy of (type Tracie’s Miles) new book Stressed-Less Living. Visit her blog to find out how to get involved at https://tinyurl.com/9zyulxm

 * All friend requests to Tracie Miles will be accepted immediately so everyone can enter

Winner will be announced on Friday, January 25th here on my blog!

For more stress relief tips and free devotions, visit www.stressedlessliving.com

81 Comments

  1. Sophilia on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 7:27 am

    I commit to seek His peace in 2013 no matter what comes my way.



    • tmiles on Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 9:04 am

      Great commitment Sophilia! We all need to embrace that mindset.



  2. Deah Wolf on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 7:54 am

    Thank you for your devotion today! As a mom, life can be full of stress, and I need a daily reminder to seek Him first in those times of stress.



    • tmiles on Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 9:05 am

      Parenting is one of the top five stressors in our nation today – so I agree! What a blessing that God can bring peace into our hearts when it comes to our children, despite all the daily challenges.



  3. tracy mc on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 8:13 am

    I would love to have your book. Currently reading Let.It.Go and I think your book would be a perfect follow-up read. Great devotional!



  4. Angela on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 8:19 am

    I so need a wave of peace to wash over me in my life!



  5. Stacy B on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 8:26 am

    Need to learn more biblical ways to unstress & to be able to share this with others!



  6. June on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 8:45 am

    This New Year I chose one word to focus on for my resolution: breathe! To consciously take a breath requires one to pause, focus, and be in the moment. All the things I need! Your book sounds like the perfect companion to my word for the year:)



    • tmiles on Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 10:39 am

      Great idea June! Im in the process of reading Rachel Olsens One Word but God hasnt given me my one word yet – so Im still praying about that. Thx for sharing!



  7. Pam R on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 8:53 am

    New year and a new begining learning how to manage the stress in my life and to share that information with others.



  8. Heather Daniels on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 9:03 am

    In 2013 I pray that I will seek The Lord in every situation, especially ones out of my control. Being a new mom is really challenging me and I know The Lord is using this gift from above to mold me into the woman he wants me to be. I want to seek Him instead of the things of this world for peace that’s surpasses all understanding. I know this book will help me learn to do that. Thank you



  9. Marjie on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 9:06 am

    I am so thankful for your devotion and your book!!! I work with women and help them adopt habits to be healthier. I can’t wait to read your book and then pass it on as a resource to these ladies.



  10. Wendy M on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 9:07 am

    As a “church” worker, I can so easily slip into the teaching and taking care of zone and forget that I need to be taught and taken care of too. So many times I find myself “proving” to God that I can do it all. And yes, so many times he comes back and says, “Yes, you are doing it, but your doing it without Me.” 🙁 The Lord is my refuge and my strength, but he is also my caretaker. I am committing today to look to him to show me how to manage the stress in my life and including Him in everything I do!



    • tmiles on Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 10:41 am

      Wendy – thank you for your transparency and for reminding us that we all need to make sure that our efforts are done in God’s strength and not our own. Lots of benefits from doing that spiritually, plus less stress.



  11. Kristine on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 9:14 am

    Looking to the bible everyday in every situation to find ways to deal with stress and remain in the peace and comfort that only He can provide!



    • tmiles on Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 10:42 am

      Kristine, it is definitely an “every day” effort to maintain God’s peace during our chaos. Thanks for the suggestion!



  12. Beth on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 9:17 am

    I am committed to seeking God’s peace in my daily quiet time with Him. So thankful for this devotion and encouragement.



  13. Cheryl Powell on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 9:21 am

    I find myself facing a rough storm in my life and my only hope of persevering is knowing that God will provide my with his peace. I cling to his word and his promises throughout this storm. Thanks so much for your encouragement.



  14. Elsa on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 9:24 am

    Thanks for the encouragement! Asking God this year to help me keep His perspective in every situation. He is in control and life usually flows a little less stressed when my focus is on Him and not my circumstances!



    • tmiles on Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 10:43 am

      Elsa, that is so key to less stress – trying to see life through God’s perspective instead of our own. It is a constant challenge to stop looking around and start looking up instead. Great points!



  15. Briana on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 9:24 am

    I am committed to allowing the peace of God to guard my heart and mind from now on. Thank you for sharing.



  16. Melissa Herrera on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 9:38 am

    I have committed to learn to live a stress free life. God has already began a work within me and I am learning to allow Him to complete it. I am learning to lean on Him and not my circumstances.



  17. Polly Schneider on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 9:48 am

    YES, I am committed to live a stress -less life everyday. I would love to see this happen in everybodies life also. Thanks for this devotional today. I definitely need it today as I am facing something today that is making me anxious.



  18. Kristi on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 9:50 am

    I read this at just the right time today. My new year has not begun as I had hoped and I am committed to allowing God to teach me how to fully rest in Him and finally be able to say I can live a stress free life!



    • tmiles on Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 10:44 am

      Kristi, just remember that every day is a new day, and it’s never too late to start every day asking for God’s peace and direction. So glad the timing was perfect for you!



  19. Brandi on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 9:51 am

    Thank you for sharing just what I needed to hear!



  20. Carol on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 10:01 am

    Perfect timing to be refreshed in the Good Word. Stress is all around me.



  21. Susan on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 10:10 am

    Thanks Tracie for a timely post. Sometimes caregiving for a parent (even though not full time) can produce stress that makes me feel really guilty. I was really regular for a while with my morning bible study before work but recently have slacked off but can feel the difference. Hoping this will get me back on track to more time with HIM who gives me more Grace than I feel I deserve…
    Thanks again Tracie!



    • tmiles on Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 10:46 am

      Susan, you are so right, caregiving is a hard hard job, even you love that person with all your heart – yet it can be very stressful in more ways than one, physically and emotionally. I pray God calls you into HIs presence every day and helps you find more time in your day to spend with Him so that you can truly experience His love and peace during this trying time.



  22. Brenda on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 10:35 am

    “Learning to Lean on Jesus” is my theme song for the year. So many things seem out of control and other things are hanging together by a string. Many times, I feel pulled in 10 directions…..I have turned to food as my comfort in the past; but this year I have vowed to make a change. The trips to the pantry will be replaced with trips to the Throne of Grace, Mercy and Peace! God can help with all of these situations, where they are out of control his is control! Thanks for the reminder!



    • tmiles on Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 10:47 am

      Brenda, love that analogy! We probably all need to take some “trips to the Throne of Grace” today!



  23. Crystal Scott on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 11:11 am

    I am committing to follow Jesus more this year and to have the peace and joy that God has designed for me. My life is out of total control and He is the only one who can help me.



    • tmiles on Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 10:49 am

      Crystal, so many people feel the same way, like life is out of control. And that is when we have to seek peace from the One who can control it, instead of allowing the enemy to pull into his stress trap. I pray God brings abundant peace in your life and that through faith you can surrender all those hard things and let Jesus carry the burdens for you, and give you rest. He is our helper.



  24. Cheryl on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 11:41 am

    I saw your book on kindle & read the devotion on P31 today. It looks like a very good book because I feel stressed & overwhelmed a lot. I tend to take on too much & place a lot of expectations on myself…so much so that I tend to crowd out time with God. I am fasting from facebook & other things for 21 days as part of an effort to focus more on Him so I wont be posting your link (right now anyway). :-). Thank you for encouraging us to go to God first…seems so simple, but sometimes the last think we think to do.



    • tmiles on Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 10:50 am

      Cheryl – thats so true, why do we tend to think God’s word is the last place to go for stress relief? Thank you for sharing your idea of fasting from the things that distract us from God. Great suggestion.



  25. Sandy on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 12:02 pm

    I saw your devotional this morning and it fits me so well. My husband was out of a job for 1.5 yrs and I lost both my parents within 19 days of each other. I have been referred to a counselor but I really need to focus more on God and spending quality time with him. Thank you so much for the encouragement!



    • tmiles on Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 10:53 am

      Sandy, Im so sorry you have been through so much and for the loss of your parents. Sometimes we all need someone to talk to help us process life and that is a good thing. And as you said, we should never minimize the importance of talking to God as well and sitting at His feet during our hardest times.



  26. annette gautier on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 12:06 pm

    Your devo on P31 was timelt for me this morning. I had just commited to the Lord a fresh start to less stress and more reliance on Him. I started your 10 day stress detox this morning too! Thank you & God bless.



    • tmiles on Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 10:54 am

      Great Annette! So glad you are doing the detox and I pray God uses it to help you!



  27. Wendy on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 2:03 pm

    Tracie,

    I came across your website for the first time today. God’s timing is amazing. I received difficult news yesterday and have dealt with a lot of stress since. Then today I find your blog and book. I would love to read it. Sorry – I’m not on facebook or twitter – but I will definitely use the good ole word of mouth to spread the news of your book. Thanks!



    • tmiles on Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 10:57 am

      Wendy, I love to see when God’s perfect timing is so visible. So sorry about your difficult news, I pray God’s peace will pour into your heart and help you handle the issues through His strength.



  28. Lisa White on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 2:05 pm

    Committing to go to the Word and prayer first when I am stressed.



  29. Michelle Ketterling on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 2:12 pm

    I pray this book will help me. I’m stressed, worried and anxious everyday. Sometimes with reason and sometimes for no reason. It’s a horrible way to live and I’m committed to seek Jesus’ comfort and invite him into my situation so I can find the peace he gave me everyday. Thank you!!



    • tmiles on Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 11:00 am

      Michelle, you are not alone friend. So many of us get stuck in a life cycle of stress. I pray that God will wake you up every morning with a longing for Him and for His peace to fill your heart each and every day. Learning to live less stressed by truly leaning on God is a process, and you have taken the first step by acknowledging your need and inviting Him in. God bless you!



  30. Sheila Barksdale on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 2:15 pm

    Stress is satan’s way of keeping us focused on ourselves and the world and off of God. God can handle any stress that I have. I’ve been committing to make my life stress free and concentrate more on becoming more like Christ each day!!!



    • tmiles on Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 11:00 am

      Amen! Thanks for sharing Sheila.



  31. Tammy W on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 2:16 pm

    Wow – this was just what I needed to see today. PV31 has been right on the mark the last few days for me. This particular devotion was something that I really needed to hear.
    As the mother of an Asperger’s (autistic) teenager I find stress a regular companion. Most days, I let God handle the obstacles. Others are harder.
    Then yesterday I found out I am going to need to go on chemotherapy for 3 months to help shrink a 2nd tumor they just found in my abdomen. I am stressed because of the diagnosis and what I will have to endure, but mostly I am stressed because I wonder if I will have the strength to care for my precious daughter and if she will understand my illness.
    I find now, more than ever, I need to seek God’s peace and begin to live each day one at a time, one minute at a time. He is the only way to let the stress go….. 🙂



    • tmiles on Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 11:02 am

      Tammy, I am so blessed by your love for the Lord and your commitment to depend on His peace, even while enduring all these difficult circumstances. I pray God will do a miracle in your life with respect to the tumor and that the doctors would be wise in their treatments, and also that your sweet daughter has great clarity and understanding and knows how much you love her. Many many many blessings to you.



  32. Avon Siminig on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 3:36 pm

    I want to commit more were I stop, listen and pray. God listens and open his heavenly gates whenever we knock on it, that’s the promise we often forget when chaos is around us . Peace in Jesus rules the heart (col.13:5) ; the joy and comfort arise when we are willing to surrender ours hand to the Lord.



    • tmiles on Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 11:03 am

      Wonderful verse for the day Avon – thank you for sharing!



  33. Summer Maldonado on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 4:57 pm

    I want to remember my days are numbered and to embrace God’s love for me and share it with others!



    • tmiles on Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 11:05 am

      Great perspective summer – it is easy to forget to count our blessings and appreciate the gift of life when so focused on the stressful circumstances tucked within. Great tip for us to not take life for granted.



  34. Peggy on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 6:13 pm

    Blessings Tracie, How perfectly timely your post today to line up with mine (only God) on my ONE WORD for this year which is PEACE. I shared a beautiful song which is now my new theme song for PEACE!

    I’m definitely in with your wave! I love this! Wouldn’t it be great if a wave of peace washed over our country today? YES, yes, yes!!! In fact I did an update after reading this and added to the end to include links to here plus what you wrote for Facebook and Twitter, linking to here (since I don’t do FB or Twitter but I do blog and this fit perfectly in my Weds. post!!!) I hope that’s OK. It’s almost as good as Tweeting or putting it on FB!

    I’ve been following your blog, especially since the release of this new book. P31 was where my blogging life started and I read many P31 blogs via Google Reader. Amazingly this was the first one that caught my eye in GR and was up first on my opening page recommended readings, so I did and I’m here.

    Praying that we all may be blessed and less stressed!

    Thanks for sharing this verse! I too find much comfort and peace in these words! However John 14:27 is my primary verse this year!

    Peace in Christ – a sister sojourner for more PEACE,
    Peggy



    • tmiles on Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 11:07 am

      Thanks for sharing your thoughts here, and for sharing it on your blog! Super! God doesnt care how we spread the Word, just that we spread it! PEACE to you!



      • Peggy on Saturday, February 2, 2013 at 7:30 pm

        Tracie, I can’t remember if I read it here or at P31 or at Melissa’s blog, but is your book one of the studies that she plans on doing in 2013? I know that she’s going to start Karen’s “Let it Go” but I’m hoping that she has plans to do yours also. Please let us know! Thanks. Or else I’ll just check back here again!!!

        Peace,
        Peggy



  35. Hilda Quintanilla on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 6:36 pm

    I have resolved to seek the Lord daily, for peace, and rest, and Himself be cause i need Him every minute of my life.



  36. Debbie Williams on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 8:10 pm

    Love this blog today Tracie. I feel that peace the more I am in His word and the more I lead groups in studies. My one word for this year is “LESS” – less of me, more of Him. That peace is here if I just grab it. Somedays I let myself worry about all I have to do, but as long as I start my day off before daylight in my group, in His word, the peace is there. Thank you for this post to remind us He is our peace.



    • tmiles on Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 11:07 am

      I love hearing everyone’s One Word – thanks for sharing!



  37. Courtney on Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 12:37 am

    Tracie, thanks for the post! Very encouraging, especially with my new job as youth leader at my church. I’m trying to get events and fundraisers off the ground, but it’s a lot of stress. However I know that it will all be worth it when I see my church full of teenagers worshipping the Lord!



  38. jen on Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 7:02 am

    I commit!



  39. Jean on Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 8:41 am

    Just saying the words “peace” and “rest” brings a calm to me, but only peace from God is sustaining.



  40. Diamond Jernigan on Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 9:16 am

    I am willing to seek his peace every day of 2013 and I find that peace through reading His Word first thing of a morning before my day starts. He gets the first part of my attention. His Word expresses His plan for my day and even though it may not see that way, His Word speaks peace each and every day to me. He gets me in a zone of peace and rest every morning as I tackle the challenges of the day. With three kids, one being a middle-schooler and the other two elementary age, I need his peace through His Word daily. I find rest and comfort in Him each and every day through giving God just that simple time out of my day. God bless all and wish for you all the same.



    • tmiles on Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 11:08 am

      Seeking peace does not require commitment, because life is not peaceful, especially for busy moms! Thank you for joining in to keep the wave of peace going.



  41. Roxanne on Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 11:00 am

    Ii have a card that says “peace isn’t the abscenss of caus bit the knowledge that His will is suffice for me.
    I struggle with this along, and kneel turning my worry back to him. His Grace IS sufficient for me.



  42. Tiffany on Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 12:08 pm

    I am so glad I came across your blog post & read your P31 devotional the other day because for my “one word” this year, I have decided on REST. For the past 6 months I have been battling mild depression & anxiety attacks. I actually bought your book, “Stressed Less Living” a couple months ago, but haven’t made the commitment to sit down to read it because the depression was getting pretty bad. However, the Lord is faithful and led me to seek prayer ministry 2 weeks ago. I was able to let go of some things from the past that I was hanging onto & on top of that, he delivered me from the cloud of depression I was under.
    I am still battling the anxiety, but because I am no longer suffer from the depression, I can now focus on getting the anxiety & stress levels under control. Since I already have the book, I don’t really need it, however I wanted to comment and say that I am also making a commitment to pause and seek his peace in this New Year!! 🙂



  43. veronica delos reyes on Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 4:28 pm

    I was so thankful that God directed me to your blog today so I can join you on this isue.. thank you for today’s insight.



  44. Nancy Silvers on Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 4:39 pm

    I commit to seeking peace each day for me and to extend that peace to all I meet.



  45. Kim M on Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 7:41 pm

    I commit to take time in 2013 and pause to reflect and hear from God.



  46. Jean on Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 10:04 pm

    If anyone can listen to the song by Jaci Valesques. “I will rest in you”, what a blessing it has been to me over the years. What a comfort!



  47. Barbara Winebrenner on Friday, March 8, 2013 at 8:45 am

    I’m in!



  48. kim on Friday, March 8, 2013 at 9:47 am

    I am in!



  49. Holly Alexander on Friday, March 8, 2013 at 11:08 am

    I’m in



  50. Heidi Mitchell on Friday, March 8, 2013 at 11:14 am

    I’m in!!



  51. Elaine on Friday, March 8, 2013 at 12:02 pm

    I AM SO IN



  52. Shannon on Friday, March 8, 2013 at 3:19 pm

    I am in



  53. Lisa on Friday, March 8, 2013 at 6:18 pm

    I’m in!



  54. Denita on Friday, March 8, 2013 at 10:50 pm

    I’m in!



  55. Gina on Saturday, March 9, 2013 at 9:52 am

    I’m in!



  56. Heather McDaniel on Saturday, March 9, 2013 at 12:49 pm

    I’m in!!!



  57. Jewel on Saturday, March 9, 2013 at 5:13 pm

    Very timely! Thank you for this challenge. Count me in !



  58. Nancy on Sunday, March 10, 2013 at 9:23 pm

    I’m in!



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Tracie Miles is a bestselling author and the Director of COMPEL Training with Proverbs 31 Ministries.  She helps women grow stronger in their faith, pursue the life of purpose God designed them for and live a life of peace, joy and happiness despite their circumstances.

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