The Ruse of Relief
by: Stacy Mattheis
The Ruse of Relief
I hung up the phone and with a deep exhale and felt the weight I was carrying just 24 hours before lift. Finally, I thought the peace of that difficulty decision was upon me and I could move on. Little did I know I would wake up just a short 24 hours later with a heavier weight of disobedience on my heart and a restlessness that I could not shake off.
Just a few weeks before I experienced a prompt from the Holy Spirit to apply for a lay position at church. It was to lead the growing Women’s Ministry. I argued a bit with the Lord over it as I had zero ministry training, other than serving my entire life but somehow, I wouldn’t let that be enough, as well I had a nursing degree and not a seminary degree. How could it makes sense that this was what God was calling me to do? I wondered how the Lord would be calling me to step into something I felt completely unequipped for. I prayed for peace in the decision-making process, peace during the interview and a clear answer to all my questions. When I arrived at the conclusion that declining the offer and walking away from it was the answer I was quick to act and slow to inquire with the Lord again. I was unsure of myself and frankly uncertain in God’s ability to equip me for the thing He was calling me too.
So, in my disbelief I chased after what I thought peace was…the absence of conflict.
I placed a call to the Executive Pastor letting him know I appreciated the opportunity but needed to decline the offer, to which the exhale and sense of what I thought was peace. What I didn’t realize then was I had just experienced the ruse of relief.
Like Jonah ran away from God and the call he did not want to answer, I ran straight to relief and disguised it as peace. I did not trust God would equip me and give me a deep love for the call He was placing on me. The heavy burden of disobedience and unrest I felt after running from the call actually brought me to a place of transformation.
Like Jonah, God offered me another chance to reflect, reorientate, respond, and rest.
In the standing still I acknowledged that God is LORD and let go of the anxiety, stress, uncertainty, and distrust that was fueling my desire for relief. I received stillness, sanctuary, and satisfaction when I took the opportunity to call the Pastor back and ask for an opportunity to take the position. Trusting God during the uncertainty and anxiety helped me fight the fear I was feeling towards the unknown expectations that ministry would have for me.
A ruse is an indirect means to gain an end. The enemy is active, always on the prowl and I had allowed him a foothold in my naïve search for peace. I allowed him to dup me with relief. Thankfully, the Lord is greater, and His purposes will be fulfilled no matter the size or significance. As I look back, I am so grateful I woke up the next morning with a heavier burden than the one I was carrying the day before.
This burden was disobedience and I felt it deep in my soul. I responded to this deep sense by picking up the phone again, parking my pride and asking for a meeting with the Executive Pastor so I could ‘explain’ the craziness I felt in my actions. He obliged and as I shared with him the previous 48 hours he smiled and affirmed the Lord had been at work. As I left his office a different burden landed on my heart, one for the women of my church and even though I was still very unsure of my ability to step into the position I was being given, I had a steady sense of peace that I obeyed the Lord, and He would equip me as He had promised.
The relief I felt had been a feeling of false peace, disguised by a lack of conflict within myself and justified by my scheduling conflicts and family obligations that would need to be balanced with this new call.
There are other difficult situations that we can experience false peace in:
ending a relationship or marriage rather than work on our own weaknesses;
running away from a commitment just because it’s challenging; bailing on a friend in need because it’s uncomfortable;
choosing to cave to societal pressures and blend in rather than live differently and face ridicule.
In the moment we think what we feel is from God but if the decision or action you’re making is contrary to God’s character or God’s Word, it’s NOT FROM GOD. It’s a temporary, FALSE feeling of relief and escape rather than true peace.
True peace, a balance of emotions amid uncertainty, is found in the person of Jesus. The storms do not go away, the conflicts do not always end but in the middle of it all we will be steady when we keep our eyes on Him.
“The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4: 6b-7
How can we know the difference between relief and true peace?
First, God’s peace is supernatural, surpassing all understanding. It is unexplainable. We won’t necessarily have answers as we encounter the difficulty, but others should sense a calm about that doesn’t make sense. It won’t make sense unless you know Jesus.
Secondly, God’s peace guards our hearts. Beneath the chatter of our fears and the mistaken agenda of the ego is another voice. This is the wisdom voice of the heart. In stillness and through reflection, it’s guidance can be heard, directing us to what’s most important to our lives, who and what we love, what work is worth doing, and how to be happy no matter what our circumstances might be. Guard your heart with the Word, worship and prayer.
Thirdly, God’s peace guards our minds. Conflict is often divisive, but God’s character is to bring unity. Guarding our minds is a discipline especially in the social media day we live in, but it blocks the enemy from planting doubt, unrest and ultimately dividing us.
Chase peace every day and don’t let the ruse of relief offer you a moment of false peace as you walk out the opportunities God puts before every day. If He calls us to it, He will equip us for it!
Stacy Mattheis lives in Red Deer, Alberta with her husband Tyler and two of their three adult children. Stacy homeschooled all three, has served in many different areas of ministry in her local church from Women’s Ministry, technical teams, spiritual formation, family ministry, and recently joined the Executive Team of Gather Women. She values unity, authenticity and truth. You can find her reflecting on life and her journey with the Lord on Instagram @stacymattheis and Facebook at stacymattheis.