Silas
Beloved of All
Your honest prayer has been heard, and God sees the hurt in your heart, the confusion over dreams, and the deep desire to be made whole and to follow Jesus truly. Thank you for bringing all of this before the Lord, including your love for your children and family and your prayer for the peace of Jerusalem. God invites that kind of honest, continual prayer, and He knows what you need before you ask.
You asked how to protect your peace, and Scripture gives a clear answer. There is a false peace that people speak over themselves when their lives are still at war with God, saying peace, peace when there is no peace. Real peace cannot come while the heart is divided or far from Him. True peace comes only after grace. The order in Scripture is always grace and then peace, because until you have received the grace of God through Jesus Christ, you cannot know the peace of God. Jesus Himself said, My peace I give to you, and He is our peace who has broken down the wall between us and God. When you turn your life fully to Him and receive forgiveness, the war is over. You are no longer running from God or fighting against Him, and He gives a peace that passes all understanding to guard your heart and mind.
That peace is kept as your mind is stayed on Him because you trust in Him. You protect your peace not by trying harder in your own strength, but by keeping your eyes and your trust on the Lord each day. When your thoughts drift to fear, to hurt, or to the confusion of dreams, gently bring your mind back to Christ, to His Word and His promises. He has ordained peace for those who walk with Him, and He will keep you in perfect peace as you stay trusting Him.
You also asked what you should do for God and for yourself, and how to become a true follower. God looks at the heart, not just at outward routines. He does not want service done only from duty, but from a heart overflowing with love for Him. Scripture says to let a person examine himself, and that the love of Christ should be what constrains us. God also shows His will by placing His own desires within you. He works in you both to want His will and to have the strength to do it. The very yearning you feel to follow Him truly is evidence that He is at work in you. Seek Him with your whole heart, not faintly or halfheartedly. The promise is that when you seek Him with all your heart, you will find Him. Let Him uncover any divided place in your heart and ask Him to do the true circumcision of the heart, cutting away what belongs to the flesh so your heart may be fully His.
For the pain in your heart, know that Jesus has already borne our pains and sorrows. He understands bodily and inner hurt, and He is able to heal. It is not foolish to ask Him for healing, but bring your pain to Him with trust that He cares and that He can make you whole again in His way and time. Keep asking Him for protection over you and your children, for every good gift and creation He has entrusted to you. He is your strength, your protection, and your deliverance.
Concerning the relationships you mentioned, God calls us to pray for others while also guarding our own hearts with wisdom. Scripture shows that when a person repeatedly hardens his own heart against the Lord, the Lord in time confirms that hardness and makes it firm. Each person is responsible for his own choices before God. To say that being unfaithful to women is simply a curse from a father does not remove that responsibility. The pattern of using others for sexual immorality outside the lifelong covenant of marriage between one man and one woman is sin that needs repentance, not an excuse. You do right to pray for him, pray that God would bring him to see his need for repentance and for a new heart, and that he would turn to Jesus for forgiveness and transformation. Loving him through prayer does not mean affirming or sharing in that way of life, and it does not mean you should place yourself in a position where your own peace and purity are harmed. If you are considering friendship with a former spouse, seek the counsel of Scripture and keep clear, holy boundaries that honor God and protect your heart.
About dreams, do not be anxious to find hidden definitions in every dream. Many dreams come from daily cares and a troubled heart. Instead of chasing interpretations, stand in the counsel of the Lord and listen to His Word. If God wants to speak, He will do so clearly through Scripture and by His Spirit in a way that aligns with His Word. Bring the dreams to Him in prayer, ask for discernment, and rest in the truth He has already given.
May the Lord continue the good work He has begun in you. He wants you to know His grace and then to live daily in His peace.
Father, we bring this dear one before You in the name of Jesus. Thank You for Your grace that alone brings peace. Heal the hurting heart, calm fear and confusion, and guard dreams and thoughts. Keep this person in perfect peace as their mind stays on You. Place Your desires in their heart and give strength to do Your good pleasure. Protect them and their children and all their loved ones, and draw each one to seek You with the whole heart. Bring conviction and repentance where there is sin, and bring healing and wholeness where there is pain. Let Your peace that passes understanding guard heart and mind in Christ Jesus. Amen.
You asked how to protect your peace, and Scripture gives a clear answer. There is a false peace that people speak over themselves when their lives are still at war with God, saying peace, peace when there is no peace. Real peace cannot come while the heart is divided or far from Him. True peace comes only after grace. The order in Scripture is always grace and then peace, because until you have received the grace of God through Jesus Christ, you cannot know the peace of God. Jesus Himself said, My peace I give to you, and He is our peace who has broken down the wall between us and God. When you turn your life fully to Him and receive forgiveness, the war is over. You are no longer running from God or fighting against Him, and He gives a peace that passes all understanding to guard your heart and mind.
That peace is kept as your mind is stayed on Him because you trust in Him. You protect your peace not by trying harder in your own strength, but by keeping your eyes and your trust on the Lord each day. When your thoughts drift to fear, to hurt, or to the confusion of dreams, gently bring your mind back to Christ, to His Word and His promises. He has ordained peace for those who walk with Him, and He will keep you in perfect peace as you stay trusting Him.
You also asked what you should do for God and for yourself, and how to become a true follower. God looks at the heart, not just at outward routines. He does not want service done only from duty, but from a heart overflowing with love for Him. Scripture says to let a person examine himself, and that the love of Christ should be what constrains us. God also shows His will by placing His own desires within you. He works in you both to want His will and to have the strength to do it. The very yearning you feel to follow Him truly is evidence that He is at work in you. Seek Him with your whole heart, not faintly or halfheartedly. The promise is that when you seek Him with all your heart, you will find Him. Let Him uncover any divided place in your heart and ask Him to do the true circumcision of the heart, cutting away what belongs to the flesh so your heart may be fully His.
For the pain in your heart, know that Jesus has already borne our pains and sorrows. He understands bodily and inner hurt, and He is able to heal. It is not foolish to ask Him for healing, but bring your pain to Him with trust that He cares and that He can make you whole again in His way and time. Keep asking Him for protection over you and your children, for every good gift and creation He has entrusted to you. He is your strength, your protection, and your deliverance.
Concerning the relationships you mentioned, God calls us to pray for others while also guarding our own hearts with wisdom. Scripture shows that when a person repeatedly hardens his own heart against the Lord, the Lord in time confirms that hardness and makes it firm. Each person is responsible for his own choices before God. To say that being unfaithful to women is simply a curse from a father does not remove that responsibility. The pattern of using others for sexual immorality outside the lifelong covenant of marriage between one man and one woman is sin that needs repentance, not an excuse. You do right to pray for him, pray that God would bring him to see his need for repentance and for a new heart, and that he would turn to Jesus for forgiveness and transformation. Loving him through prayer does not mean affirming or sharing in that way of life, and it does not mean you should place yourself in a position where your own peace and purity are harmed. If you are considering friendship with a former spouse, seek the counsel of Scripture and keep clear, holy boundaries that honor God and protect your heart.
About dreams, do not be anxious to find hidden definitions in every dream. Many dreams come from daily cares and a troubled heart. Instead of chasing interpretations, stand in the counsel of the Lord and listen to His Word. If God wants to speak, He will do so clearly through Scripture and by His Spirit in a way that aligns with His Word. Bring the dreams to Him in prayer, ask for discernment, and rest in the truth He has already given.
May the Lord continue the good work He has begun in you. He wants you to know His grace and then to live daily in His peace.
Father, we bring this dear one before You in the name of Jesus. Thank You for Your grace that alone brings peace. Heal the hurting heart, calm fear and confusion, and guard dreams and thoughts. Keep this person in perfect peace as their mind stays on You. Place Your desires in their heart and give strength to do Your good pleasure. Protect them and their children and all their loved ones, and draw each one to seek You with the whole heart. Bring conviction and repentance where there is sin, and bring healing and wholeness where there is pain. Let Your peace that passes understanding guard heart and mind in Christ Jesus. Amen.
