"I will give you perfect peace as you
stay your mind on Me." — Isaiah 26:3 (my paraphrase)
The door had just closed behind Wade ...
the last one to leave with his lunch sack under his arm. Bill was gone. Even
Esther, our dog, was outside. And I was getting ready for another big round of
depression. I had made it through breakfast and fixing lunches, but now that I
was alone I was going under ... fast. I had been pacing the house and was
walking down the hallway when, in utter frustration, I stopped, made a fist,
and shook it in God’s general direction. (I’m confident He was very impressed.)
God! You have promised me peace, and I
don’t have it! I am an emotional basket case. My insides are churning. My hands
are trembling. My thoughts are so confused that I don’t know whether I’m coming
or going. There’s a lump in my throat that just stays there. I am hurting so
badly, and I certainly don’t have any semblance of peace! My world is
completely haywire! Why, Lord, why? And it was almost like He whispered to me
...
“Anabel, what are you setting your mind on?
What are you thinking about?”
How many times have you accused Him of
being the reason for your problem, for not coming through on His end of the
bargain? No. You must understand that He never promised an unconditional peace.
It comes with instructions: I will give you peace if you will stay your mind on
Me.
I guess I’m a slow learner, Lord. I still
think of peace as freedom from problems. No. That’s not it, is it? Peace is
resting in You. Peace is knowing You can face the day through me. Regardless. I
remember, Lord, when I used to wake up and say, “My God! Another day! How can I
possibly get through it?” It’s different now. Oh, I still wake up and call on
You, but I say, “My precious God. Thank You that You are going to meet today
for me.” That’s peace. Perfect peace.
I pray that this thought will cause you to
rest more completely in His arms today.
Anabel Gillham
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