You will keep the mind that is dependent on You in perfect peace, for it is trusting in You. –Isaiah 26:3
The phone rang and I knew. As my friend’s voice broke through the long silence after my hello, I knew the news of cancer had plagued her. I struggled to find words of comfort and assurance for her and soon the words from Isaiah 26:3 resounded in my spirit. As we talked and prayed, I reminded her of who our God is. I felt her greatest need in that moment was to remember God is peace. But in the midst of fear and chaos, experiencing peace can be difficult.
So, I reminded her that she could experience peace even in fear because peace is a state of mind and a posture of the heart, not the absence of turmoil. When our lives are filled with strife, our spirits can be at rest.
To experience peace in times of chaos we must first acknowledge who God is. John 16:33 says, “I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” “In me,” means in Christ. In the fullness of who Christ is, peace reigns. We must get into the habit of reminding ourselves of God’s character so when a crisis comes, our minds default to remembering His love, His power, His presence, His wisdom, His strength, and His sovereignty.
Second, to experience peace we must obey God’s perfect Word. Psalm 18:30 says, “God—His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is pure. He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.” God’s ways, His law, and His will are as a shield and protection for us, covering us in His perfect peace.
Last comes prayer and surrender. Peace comes when we acknowledge the lordship of Christ and surrender to His will. This means we must trust God just as Isaiah 26:3 says. As we do, our mind rests. Prayer ushers us into the presence of God and helps stabilize our mind and heart. Prayer also helps us release our fears to the Lord and trust Him for the outcome.
As the conversation with my friend came to an end, I sensed the Lord’s peace in her tone of voice and in the words she spoke. Her mind was steady. Though she did not yet know the outcome of her diagnosis, she could rest in His refuge, all because she had experienced the perfect peace of her loving Father.
