Peace

"Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset."
St. Francis

I'm sure I'm not alone in this. Fear and worry and anxiety has gripped our world, our nation, and our little town. After the recent earthquake in Japan, these traits have taken hold of us, causing panic, stress, and more. My family has put together emergency kits for use if our area is hit by an earthquake and subsequent tsunami. Others' family relationships are strained by differences of opinion on how to deal with this impending disaster. Other circumstances have come up in a friends' life that has caused increasing stress resulting even in physical ailments. Fear. Worry. Anxiety. Stress.

I myself was having difficulty sleeping for fear that "the Big One" would hit in the middle of the night. I had my flashlight and set of clothes handy, ready to go if need be. How paralyzing and stressful this way of life is!

I prayed for peace, I prayed for calmness and the ability to trust in what I cannot see. I prayed for God to show me that he has things under control and knows what's in my heart.
As I prayed and poured out my concerns, verses came into my mind.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me." John 14:1

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27

"Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
for the LORD will be at your side and will keep your foot from being snared." Proverbs 3:25-26

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7

"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you." Isaiah 26:3

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:25-34

Already my heart was feeling lighter, my heart had stopped it's quick beat, and I was able to relax. Last thing I remember was saying the 23 Psalm out loud before falling asleep.

1 The LORD is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
3 He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell[a] in the house of the LORD
Forever.

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In these times of uncertainty, fear and catastrophe, it is easy to be overtaken and overwrought. It is easy to fall into a pattern of distrust and anger and selfishness.
We have to look beyond ourselves and what we see, and rely on God to see us through. I'm not a pastor or a theologian and I don't claim to be overly knowledgeable in understanding Biblical meanings. But the verses I've quoted here show clearly that God is in control. The One who created Earth, created you and me, created the birds and animals and every species of flower...HE is the one who knows. He holds us in His hands. He is there in front of you, beckoning to you to come. Like a daddy comforts a wounded child, He wants to comfort you. He wants you to rest in His arms, be cradled in His love, be safe in the knowledge that He is here and is in control.

Does this mean that the "Big One" will be held off? That our town will avoid calamity? That the troubles in the world will be resolved? That is not the promise. His promise to you is that IF these things happen, He WILL be with you. He does love you. You are held in His hands.

"First keep the peace within yourself, then you can also bring peace to others."
Thomas Kempis