“Peace is something that we all desire, yet often feels elusive in today’s world. Even before the pandemic hit, the fast pace of American culture combined with the ever-increasing usage of technology has many of us feeling frantic and frazzled. Cheryl Elton has made it a life goal to pursue Christ’s perfect peace, and today she shares what she has learned through Scripture and experience about finding peace in a chaotic world.” (From Hope Unyielding podcast show notes)

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Autumn finds many of us removing dead plants from gardens and preparing homes and yards in anticipation of the coming winter months.

Some plants require pruning—the process of removing dead branches and stubs—which promotes beneficial rest for the plant while allowing room for new growth next season. Pruning also deters pest infestation while supporting a plant’s natural shape and healthy growth.

Recently I was reminded of the importance of personal “pruning”. On an episode of a weekly podcast I enjoy, one of the co-hosts shared his experience of a complete mental breakdown. It triggered the realization that he had taken on way too many responsibilities and wasn’t doing any of them well—nor were they bearing much fruit.

His life required some serious “pruning”:  reassessing his work, ministry commitments, and relationships, while prioritizing and making “cuts” where necessary.

The end result was much less anxiety, and greater peace as he moved through his days and tasks.

Isn’t busyness one of the greatest peace-robbers of our time?

Taking on more than we should, we end up juggling too many spinning plates, not able to put enough time into any one activity to do a job well. Personal enjoyment and fulfillment go out the window and are replaced by anxiety, as we walk around stressed over all we have to do.

As Christians, shouldn’t we want to make sure all we do is God-directed, to the end that our lives bear His wonderful fruit, and glorify Him?

So, with the change of seasons I decided to take stock of what I’m doing with my life, and ask the Lord to show me if there’s something that should go. In a nutshell, here’s what I came up with:

What does my work as a writer and speaker look like, and how much time can I and should I devote?

In my various ministry responsibilities, including as administrative assistant and Board member of an international ministry, as well as serving at my local church—am I taking on only work directed by the Lord, or am I saying yes to other things, motivated by pleasing people or otherwise?

Is managing two online small businesses and 3 websites too much? Oh, and how about being a wife, mother, homemaker, house secretary, as well as other interests for exercise and enjoyment?

You get the idea . . .

In the last 3 weeks I’ve been asked to edit someone’s book and be part of a team embarking on a large marketing project that will probably go on for several years. Initially excited, but quickly overwhelmed by the prospects, I sought the Lord, asking,  “what do You want me to be doing?”

So He’s helped me do some pruning, and affirmed what He wants me to be doing in each category. Like the podcast host, I too realized I’m not good at juggling too many plates. Making necessary cuts and saying “no” has allowed me to put the proper time and heart into each task to do my best.

I have greater peace, resulting in excellence and fruit that glorifies Him.

How about you? Would you benefit from some personal pruning?

I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. . . .  Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.  (John 15:1,2,4 NKJV)

Pruning can be painful in the moment and feel like a setback. But as we abide in Christ and take our nourishment from Him, we come back healthier and stronger, able to bear even more fruit.

Take time to abide in Christ, the vine, and receive nourishment from Him today. He’s waiting to help us with every decision, every action.

He’s waiting to give us peace.

Copyright © 2019 Cheryl Elton

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Do you have a quiet place you go to be alone with God? A place where you pour out your prayers and praises and seek His counsel?

For me, during my early years as a Christian in high school and college, a local park and nearby beaches were my special places. I loved to sit and watch the tide roll in, reminding me of God’s faithfulness as I quieted my heart in His presence. Today, I have my comfy chair at home.

Quiet time with the Lord is imperative if we want to maintain peace in our lives. Jesus tells us in this life there will be trouble—but in Him we find peace.

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. (John 16:33 NIV)

Seasons of trials, conflict, afflictions, and adversity are inevitable in this life. The world is a volatile and unpeaceful place, and tuning in to the news often inflames uncertainty. If we let it, anxiety and worry can easily consume us on every front.

A respected ministry leader and teacher I know once suggested that peace is our greatest spiritual weapon.

And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. (Romans 16:20 NKJV)

God’s peace is the only weapon that can work instantly, to crush Satan under our feet! Only by maintaining peace in our minds and hearts will we be able to hear from God when the storms come.

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 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. (2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NIV)

The antidote to so many of our struggles is found in His presence. There is no greater habit we can incorporate into our lives than quiet time with Him in the secret place each day.

Silencing our hearts through prayer and His presence, God brings His Word to our remembrance, He gives us wisdom; He speaks His counsel into the depths of our hearts.

Jesus, the One who has overcome the world, is in you. Talk to Him often and share your life with Him. Let His peace rule in your heart—the wonderful peace found only in His presence.

Copyright © 2019 Cheryl Elton

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On Sunday, my husband and I traveled 2 ½ hours to visit a quaint country church we know and love.

The pastor there is one of the most peaceful people I know. As I’ve gotten to know him over the years, I’ve realized the deep and abiding calmness he carries comes from the personal relationship he keeps with the Lord Jesus Christ.

When Jesus told us He was leaving us with peace—His peace—what did He mean? 

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.  (John 14:27)

In John 14, while still on the earth, Jesus was speaking of a day coming when He would be gone physically, yet would be with us by way of the gift of the Holy Spirit.

The peace Jesus spoke of is not independent of His presence. It is found in His presence—for now He is in us!

Yet we each must choose whether or not to avail ourselves to His peace.

During the Israelites’ “wilderness wandering” (a 40-year plight due to their disobedience and unbelief), God promised them He would “rain down food from heaven.”

But He didn’t drop it all at once.

To trust and experience God’s provision, the Israelites found they had to gather the manna (food) each morning. If they tried to save it for the next day, it wouldn’t last.

Experiencing God’s peace likewise requires daily faithful trust.

The peace I held in my heart yesterday does me no good for today! I must choose to access His peace each day through my relationship with Him.

We are made to live in God’s presence.

Living in His presence, we live in His peace.

Jesus warns us that in this life we will have troubles, but in Him, the Overcomer, we find peace.

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.   (John 16:33)

When the storms of life come, where will you be found?

Caught up in the tempest without Him? Or resting calmly in the eye of the storm, where His presence—and His peace—is found?

Copyright © 2018 Cheryl Elton

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There’s nothing I enjoy more than being on the ice, figure skating. The freedom of movement, the cold air, gliding to music, I find invigorating.

While skating, I am immersed in the moment, the rest of the day put on hold.

Yet I didn’t always experience this pure enjoyment.

For many years I took lessons in ice dancing. A group of us adults would take tests, working to move up the ranks of the sport. In my drive to excel, I sometimes deprived myself of enjoying the day’s practice—by focusing on my paucity of progress, or comparing myself to someone else.

During these times, a wise man at the rink often would say, “Enjoy the journey.”

Likewise, we should enjoy our journey of faith each day, without mental distractions. 

God gives us 24-hour day-tight compartments to live in.

My thinking of tomorrow is limited, not knowing what it holds.

God is limit-less.

When we accept the limitations of living one day at a time, life takes on a beautiful simplicity. We’re free to live in an awareness of His presence and can experience His partnership in all we do.

Yet how easily we rob ourselves of this oneness by encasing our thinking in the past or the future—as either a pleasant or fearful thing.

For some, the past is:

A sanctuary: Always thinking of the good ‘ol days; the past always looking better. 

A jailer: A prison that enslaves, causing condemnation, regret, and mental bondage; feeling like victims of past suffering.

For some, the future is: 

A daydream: “I will be happy when I have ‘such and such’, or achieve ‘such and such’.” 

A fear of the unknown: Living with anxieties about what is ahead and can’t be controlled today.

These ways of thinking constrain us, causing us to miss fully living in the now.

In contrast, living in the now—in the presence of God—eliminates worry and increases faith.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

God knows what we need, and today is enough to take care of. 

London’s Waterloo Station houses a huge 4-faced clock hanging in the center of the main concourse. It’s known as one of the city’s most famous rendezvous places.

Imagine this large clock—with no hands!

“What time is it?”

“NOW!”

Like a clock with no hands, the word of God and the presence of God is our past, present, and future.

Our eternal now.

Our lives are in His hands, therefore our hearts can be at peace and take joy in His presence—every moment of our now.

Copyright © 2018 Cheryl Elton

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Did you know statistics reveal that 75-90% of all doctor visits are for stress-related illnesses?

The pressures of life are constantly bearing down on us. We all face needs that can result in anxieties about our health, finances, safety, relationships, the future. 

While people try many things to bring peace to their lives, Jesus’ words in John 14:27 remain:

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” 

The peace of Christ is something we must invest in daily through our relationship with Him. Just because we were at peace yesterday, doesn’t guarantee we will be today.

This short video offers some great practical tips to more consistently experience God’s peace.

The message beautifully complements Pathway of Peace: Living in a Growing Relationship with Christ.

Enjoy!

Copyright © 2017 Cheryl Elton

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Several years ago, a figure skating coach I know decided—after 20 years of teaching—he would start training to compete again. That winter, every time I was at the rink, I watched him practice. He pushed himself to train, every single day, for months on end.

Finally, the big day came. He travelled halfway across the country to compete against other highly accomplished adult skaters at Nationals.

But soon after arriving, he experienced a crushing blow.

His back gave out, and he spent the entire event in pain, watching from the stands as a spectator.

In hindsight, he realized he had over-trained, and unfortunately his body reached its breaking point at the wrong time.

Sadly, his story is not unusual.

In his zeal to excel, he had ignored an important principle sometimes overlooked by dedicated athletes: the body needs regular time to rest and rebuild after exercise.

God incorporated rest not only as an essential part of our physical life—but also our mental and spiritual life.

In any endeavor, routine times of rest are vital to avoid discouragement and burnout.

Jesus often had crowds thronging Him, yet never rushed when dealing with people. He understood the importance of a balanced life. When the demands became high, He often snuck away to a mountainside or a quiet place to pray. 

He encouraged His disciples to do the same:

“Then Jesus said, ‘Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.’ He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat.”  (Mark 6:31)

Today, rest remains a rare commodity for many people. They wear busyness as a badge of distinction, and day in and day out stay caught up in its frenzy.

And regrettably, the busier we get with all our “stuff”—work, kids, meetings, meals, exercise, chores, even ministry service—the less time we spend with the One who helps us most.

Jesus extends an ongoing invitation of refreshing to us all:

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.’”  (Matthew 11:18)

In our drive to be productive, let’s remember the thing most worth being concerned about: spending time with the Lord each day, resting and refreshing ourselves in His presence.

Taking time to cease from our own work, we allow Him to do His work in us—renewing our strength, restoring our peace. We learn to hear His voice.

In His presence, we’ll find ourselves doing less, but accomplishing much more.

Copyright  © 2017 Cheryl Elton

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It’s called the City that never sleeps—New York!

My son recently survived his first month living there. And while he initially enjoyed the excitement and ease of stepping out of his apartment to explore coffee shops, delis, even the public library—after a few weeks he realized there was no quiet—ever!

Any hour of the day or night the endless drone of traffic, trucks rumbling, barrels crashing, sirens blaring, people talking . . . goes on . . . and on . . . and on . . .

The world teaches us to live like the city, doesn’t it?

Always moving, always producing, always active. Despite how exhausted we are, we must keep going.

Overloaded. Overworked. Overwhelmed.

Is this really what God intended for us?

Jesus gave us a simple promise: at any moment we can turn our thoughts to Him, and find our rest in Him.

Are you weary? Burdened? 

Jesus said:

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) 

Whisper His name. He is only a thought away.  

Sometimes we must cease from our own works, and allow Him to do His work in us . . . restoring our peace, rekindling our joy, revitalizing our hope.

Worship the Lord today by taking time to rest in His presence.

Copyright © 2016 Cheryl Elton

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Thursday evening the phone rang.

“Is R. there?”

“No,” I chuckled, “he’s in prison.”

“What?” a startled voice replied.

I always have fun with these calls—‘cause it’s true. On various Thursday nights my husband R. goes to a nearby correctional facility to teach a non-denominational Bible study.

Later that evening R. excitedly told me of the wonderful fellowship the guys had that night, and how D.—an inmate with great musical talent—played guitar and led some vibrant singing. As the men’s voices rose in glorious praise to God, R. glanced out the open window to the courtyard below and caught two corrections officers looking up.

D., it turns out, is in for life. But somehow he’s learning to be content with his circumstances, using his talents to bless others and his faith to make a difference.

The apostle Paul was also in prison when he wrote the New Testament epistles of Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.

Here he shares with the church at Philippi:

“How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:10-13)

It’s believed this was written during Paul’s first Roman imprisonment in AD 59-61. This context makes it all the more significant that Paul learned to be content with what he had.

How?

By understanding it is “Christ who gives me strength.”

Living in the Lord’s presence is how Paul gained this perspective. So much so, that he concludes this section by saying:

“And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)

Many people commonly assume that contentment and happiness are found in our circumstances—our wealth, health, job, or relationships.

God says differently.

Although He doesn’t always change our circumstances (as with inmate D. and Paul in prison)—as we seek and draw near to Him, He will change us . . .

. . . infusing us with His strength . . . His peace . . . His presence . . .

Thereby, like the great apostle Paul, we too can learn the secret of finding contentment in any circumstance.

Copyright © 2016 Cheryl Elton

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When circumstances threaten to swallow us up with despair, will we be pulled under, or rise above?

The answer lies largely in how we’ve been training.

It’s the training in peacetime that prepares a soldier for when the battle rages. Does he stand in the front lines of combat without knowing how to use his weapons?

Of course not!

Why should we expect to be strong and prepared spiritually, if we haven’t been devoting time to “training”?

Ephesians 6:12 gives us the crucial reminder that the “fight” we’re in is not person against person, but spiritual. Life is a spiritual reality, and we’re in a spiritual war against real enemies of the spirit realm.

“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” 

The verses preceding this show how we’re to follow Christ—by being strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. It goes on to say we’re to “put on” the armor of God to be victors in this life, and to show Christ to the world.

“A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.

Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Ephesians 6:10-11,13-17)

Applying God’s armor ensures success in the spiritual battle of this life. 

These are pieces of armor we’re told to “put on”:

Belt of TRUTH

Breastplate of RIGHTEOUSNESS

Shoes of PEACE

Shield of FAITH

Helmet of SALVATION

Sword of the SPIRIT

The armor of God is more than just a protective covering—it’s the very life of Christ Himself!

As Jesus Christ is all of the armor, He is also each individual part:

Jesus Christ is the truth

Jesus Christ is our righteousness

Jesus Christ is our peace

Jesus Christ is our faith

Jesus Christ is our salvation

Jesus Christ is the word of God

Just as putting on new clothes each morning is habit, putting on Jesus Christ and connecting with Him throughout each day becomes the bedrock of our lives—preparing us to be ready when battles come.

Though we may face struggles, living with the armor of God—the presence of Christ—strengthens us and brings victory in the midst of our trials.

It also allows us to present Christ to the world.

When Roman knights prepared for battle and donned full suits of armor, it was nearly impossible to see who they really were. Their knightship became their new persona.

As Christians living with the armor of God, we should so present Christ to the world that our own selves are hidden from view!

Putting on the armor of God each morning, and staying in His presence throughout our days, is the best training we can practice, not only to be spiritually prepared for life’s battles but also assuring us of victory!

Copyright © 2016 Cheryl Elton

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