Peace

Peace, how do people going through hardships actually find peace in the midst of it? Seems backwards, life brings you trouble, and you find peace. Please don't get me wrong, the struggle is still there, the pain is still there, and yes, fear still creeps in. The difference is, do I want to try to handle it all on my own, or do I want to realize that I serve a God who cares enough about me that He wants to help me by bringing me peace. For me, the peace comes in the prayer. I have found the more time I spend with Him in prayer, the more peace He provides to me no matter my circumstances. And when I feel struggle, pain or fear start to creep up again, I step away and pray. I speak directly to those things and use the name of Jesus to put them in their place. Because I have learned that if I don't use the power Jesus provides me with to do this, then they(pain/fear/circumstances) will put me in a place God does not want me to be in. It's not "magic", it is just faith, trust and my own personal experience with God. It is impossible to enjoy the peace, joy and power of the Holy Spirit if "life" has it's grips on you. (Romans 15:13). Yes, it is a conscious choice...just like all the free will that God so graciously gives us. What is trust and love without free will?....he gives us that choice. (Galatians 5:16-17) I've seen how I handle it without Him and I've seen how I handle it with Him. That is all the proof I need.