PEACE
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all. – 2 Thessalonians 3:16
I wasn’t feeling very peaceful, in fact I was worried and suffering from anxiety over my situation with my 2 children. Nothing was going right and I was trying so hard to help the situation. I tried everything from giving advice to manipulation, but my situation wasn’t getting any better. In fact, things were getting worse.
I had trouble sleeping and coping with my everyday responsibilities. Started suffering with anxiety bordering on depression. I didn’t know where to turn. I held onto my bible and asked God to help me through this latest crisis. I knew the answer had to be there, but where. I began reading, every night before bed. Sometimes I couldn’t concentrate enough to read so I just prayed and asked God to show me where I should look.
One night I opened my bible to Isaiah 26 and began reading. And there it was in verse 3. Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace, those whose minds are fixed on You, because they trust in You. There were 2 things in that verse that stood out. I asked myself 2 questions, “Where is my mind fixed most of the time? And “Do I trust God?” The scripture says, I will have “perfect peace” if my mind is fixed on God and I trust Him to take care of my kids!
Over the next few days I would find my mind focused on my problems with my children. But when it did, I recited Isaiah 26:3 over and over and focused on the greatness of God and His works and His grace and mercy. When I had trouble going to sleep, I would recite Isaiah 26:3 over and over again and remind myself of the greatness of God and how He is watching over me and my family and I told Him I began to trust Him with my children and I knew He would work everything out for our good.
And slowly over the course of a few weeks my anxiety started to subside. I was able to fall asleep faster. I did not worry and toss and turn, but turned my focus away from my problems and focused on God and all His goodness. And I truly learned to trust that He was taking care of my children. And soon after I realized that even though my situation hadn’t really changed, my perspective had. I was at peace and my heart was mending.
During this time, I joined the Hurting Moms community where I was able to go through the program and find comfort and support from other moms.
I also found another verse that has helped give me more peace; John 14:27 “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.”into a message of hope to help and comfort others. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
Hope for the future… God’s promises will come to pass. “There is hope in your future, says the Lord, that your children shall come back to their own border. Refrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears; for your work shall be rewarded. And they shall come back from the land of the enemy.” (Jeremiah 31: 17, 16) “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope, without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23)
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. (Romans 12:12)
God loves you. God loves your children. Lean into Him this Christmas season. He’ s our burden bearer, our joy fulfiller and our hope for a brighter tomorrow.
By Marietta MacDonald, Hurting Moms Leader – Ontario, Canada
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