Troubled or Trusting?

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” - John 14: 27

Just as it does in our beloved Texas, the “weather” in my heart can change in an instant. It seems that within any given week, my perspective on life can swing from mountain top to valley – sometimes within just a matter of minutes! Often the stormy moments are kicked up by very real outside factors, but many times the waves come crashing as a result of my own sinful heart (or hormones!). Regardless of the cause of the storms of life, we all know they come, are approaching, or are already here - sometimes as brief gusts that leave as quickly as they came...and sometimes as F5 tornadoes that lay waste to virtually everything standing in our lives. Life is rarely smooth sailing.

Knowing this, when we begin to see the waves rising, when the winds start to stir up in our hearts and we think, “surely, not another storm already!”...where is our hope anchored (Heb. 6: 19)? When the tempests hit, may we be found steadily clinging to our Rock, our hands securely resting in the unbreaking grasp of our Savior. As the storm waves come, may we let God's Word wash over us too, reminding us of His Truth that:

never will He leave us nor forsake us (Deut. 31:6);
He will work all things together for our good (Rom. 8: 28);
His purpose will stand (Prov. 19:21);
He is our refuge and strength (Ps. 46:1);
He has overcome the world (Jn. 16: 33);
He disciplines those He loves (Heb. 12: 6);
He will make all things new (Rev. 21:5);
and even though we walk through deep places, we will not be overtaken (Is. 43: 2)...

(This list of promises could go on - God's Word is chock full of 'em).

We must, moment by moment, anchor our souls in Christ; and as we do, He will flood our hearts with His promised peace that passes all understanding – that true soul rest that the world cannot give, although it searches desperately for it at empty wells.

Sweet Captain of my life,
as You lead me through the inevitable heights and depths of life's adventure, strengthen my failing heart to not be troubled or afraid, but trusting in You and Your great, never-ending, unfailing love – the ultimate source of all lasting peace.