You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast,
because they trust in you.
Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord,
the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.
Isaiah 26: 3-4
The sun glitters in the slanted blinds, and a word glints in the depths of me – this maddeningly elusive and perfectly impossible word…
Peace.
In a world of rush hour traffic, ever-increasing internet speed, and stress as a badge of honor, peace feels impractical, even self-indulgent.
The more I allow my thoughts to swirl over my children – about the risk of injury, the fragility of life, the pressures to keep up in school, the endless online world, the hazards of just walking this earth brushing up against other humans who hurt each other… the more I think, the heavier my burden, the tighter my grip around the children I’m desperate to protect.
Dangers are real, and we suffer in this life. We know and hate to believe that our children will, too.
As much as I love to hear a comforting “They’ll be fine,” from a mama who has gone before me, I can’t help but scream inside “How do you know?!” and let my mind jump to friends whose children were not fine, or times that my worry seemed to be the reason I made the right decision about going to the ER.
Truly, the answer to endless worry over our children is never in logically determining that it will all be ok.
I envy the beautifully shameless relaxation of the perfect little face of my sleeping babe, and I wonder at what it must be like. To fret not. To rest when sleep calls. To never fear for the events of the day. To explore the world with eager expectation and hope.
But we’re told in God’s word that this kind of peace is available to us in Christ – not a life without responsibility or hardship, but a Life. Without. Worry.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4: 6-7
As we make choices of trust, of gratitude, of prayer, of supplication, God’s peace enters in and stands guard over our hearts and minds.
Our hope must rest on something more secure than our circumstances. The irritatingly simple truth is that one thing keeps us in perfect peace… One thing allows us to walk through this life free from a mind full of worry… One thing allows us to remain steady, unflappable… Trust in the Lord, the Rock eternal.
We all know this is easier said than done, but I am seeing my own mind of worry transformed in a million tiny choices to trust that God is who He says He is.
Rather than feeling victim to life’s circumstances, weak and powerless, we can instead – by the power of Christ – walk in peace, strong and empowered to make choices for our families, free from worry and fear. We can strongly choose to take reasonable precautions with our children – not out of fear, but LOVE. We can powerfully choose to set boundaries on what they are allowed to do, where they are allowed to go, or when they need to see a doctor – not out of fear but LOVE. We can strongly choose how to guide and shepherd them, using the powerful minds God gave us, but reject the worry that so easily partners with us.
We can choose to believe that the Lord is always good (Psalm 145: 9). We can choose to believe that his grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12: 9). We can choose to believe that he will never leave us or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31: 6). We can choose to believe that God hems us in, behind and before (Psalm 139). We can choose to believe his promises for our children, and for their mamas.
As you care for your littles ones today, sweet mama, may you go out in sparkling joy and be led forth in perfect peace.
Raw. Mercy. Mama. 