Perfect Peace
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3
Sometimes I have days where I just need some peace. It could be on a day when I’m running around because I have a lot to do. Or it could be on a day when I’m with a lot of people and things are loud and chaotic. Or it could even just all be in my head. I could have a lot to think about, a lot to remember, or a lot to worry about all at once. On days like this, God brings me to this verse in Isaiah.
The first thing I read is that God is the one who keeps me in perfect peace. God’s peace is awesome and when I ask Him for it, He kindly gives it to me. And of course He does because, just like one of his names says, He is the God of peace.
The second part is that He gives that peace to those whose minds are stayed on Him. He gives peace to those who are focused on Him. Even just by focusing on God, we start to experience peace. If we’re focused on God, we can’t be focused on whatever it is that we need peace from.
The things that were driving us crazy start to seem less important because we’re reminding ourselves of how important God is. When we’re anxious, our eyes are focused on what’s right in front of us, on the things that are down here on earth. When we stay our minds on God, our attention gets pulled upward, where things are clearer.
But the reason we focus on God is not so that we can get that peace, but because we trust in Him. The peace is just a bonus. When we trust in God, we’re giving Him control over our lives and the things we’re dealing with. That allows us to look up and focus on Him. We can have His peace because we know that He’s taking care of everything.
When I’m rushing around because I have a lot to do, I remind myself that God is in control of my life and what I’m doing. I can stop and take a breath and look up at Him. I still have to run those errands and do those things, but I don’t have to worry about the outcome because I know that God is taking care of them. I can have peace because of that.
When I’m with a loud and unorganized group of people, I can look up to God and thank him because whatever we are trying to do is going to happen. Not because I’m in control, but because He is. When I have a lot on my mind, either things I need to remember or things that I’m worrying about, I can give them to God, trusting that everything will work out in the end and have peace about it.
Whenever you find yourself needing peace, remind yourself that God is taking care of you. Fix your eyes upon Him, and receive the perfect peace that He offers.