Isaiah 26:3 -- Want Peace??

"You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you." -- Isaiah 26:3

Notice that peace comes from God, and not our mind. Peace is the response of God to those who seek Him, for God’s presence places all of our circumstances in a different perspective. Our minds are prone to project the worst that can happen, but a mind that is steadfast upon God is confronted with the fact that God is in control. Renewing our minds with this reality causes trust, and that trust opens our hearts to peace.
 
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     A few years ago, my life was in complete turmoil.  I had gone through my 2nd divorce and felt like a failure.  I had become a single mom of two boys, trying to "make it" in the music business.  I didn't have a "real" job so bills were piling up.  Thankfully I didn't end up out on the street because I had parents who would always check with me at the beginning of each month with the same question, "Do you have rent money this month?".  I always felt SO triumphant on the few months where I could say, "YES!  I have it covered!", because the truth is, most of the time, I had to utter a humiliating "No, not really.  Could I borrow it from you... (gulp).. again?".   Of course they ALWAYS came through for me and NEVER made me feel like I was being a burden, but I still felt horrible each time I had to ask.  I mean, geez... I was 33 yrs. old with 2 kids.  WHY couldn't I get my act together?!? 

     One day I started looking around at the people I knew.  I decided that I needed to figure out WHY some people just seemed to be doing well in life and others weren't.  What was their secret?  You know those people?  The ones that seem to always be happy, no matter what is going on around them...??   The ones that seem... well... peaceful?   I wanted that.  I was tired of turmoil.  I was tired of trying SO hard and still not appearing to get anywhere.  I was tired of the chaos.  I wanted peace.  

     The one thing I noticed that all the peaceful people had in common was a love for Jesus.  They all had a true belief that God was in control.  They didn't worry so much about the little things because they believed that God would take care of them.  They ALL believed that God's word was in the Bible and they lived by those beliefs daily.  So I did what they did... I opened my Bible and dove in.

    I've tried living my life with and without God.  Trust me, it's MUCH easier with Him than without Him.  He brings that peace to my life that I was looking for.  That doesn't mean I don't have worry.  That doesn't mean that some days aren't.. well... hard.  But it DOES mean that I have peace.  I can honestly say that even when I'm worried, I'm at peace.  Even when I'm sad, I'm at peace.  Even when I'm frustrated... I. AM. AT. PEACE.  ----  Thank you Lord.