Today I want to talk to you about something that I see in many lives, something that often steals peace from believers and frankly, there is no reason for it at all.
Let me share a story with you. The other day Breanne and I were taking the kids for an outing, it was the first warm, sunny day all winter. We were excited to get out. Just before we left she checked her mail to find a letter that she wasn’t expecting. This letter drastically affected her and her children and their school.
Generally something like this would be really upsetting, however, we both were stunned and voiced our surprise but other than that we remained oddly quiet about the situation. About thirty minutes passed, I knew she was pondering the news, as was I. In my own mind I was thinking ‘well, God knew about this so he isn’t caught off guard, therefore he must have a plan and I believe it is a good plan.’ I don’t really know what Breanne was thinking.
After a period of time she laid the letter down and said ‘well, we will just have to figure it out.’ She went on to describe several different solutions.
What I want to talk to you about today is how when one little thing changes in our life, which may not seem like a little thing at the time, and we allow it to steal our peace.
I talk to Bryson about this a lot. I teach him that we may make plans but something may come along and alter that plan and if so, we can’t allow it to disturb our peace or make us react in anger. I wish I could teach this to most adults.
I see it happen a lot. People have a plan and something will come along and change the plan and they have to quickly re-adjust, which apparently some don’t handle well. Often this one little change will change the atmosphere of their entire day – that is so unnecessary, don’t you think?
Proverbs 16:9 says; The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps. Ah, this is so true, we have a plan and if things don’t go according to plan we sometimes feel angry, upset, disappointed or a whole bunch of things – but the bible is clear – our mind makes a plan but our God will direct our steps – perhaps our plan wasn’t what was best for us – so God allows a change of plans – we can still remain in perfect peace.
How do we do that? Isaiah 26:3 says; You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You: because he trusts in You.
If we choose to keep our mind on God, even when little things come along and change our path, then we will be able to remain in perfect peace…as we keep our mind on God. That’s the key.
You see, as Breanne and I pondered the letter we both know that God had a plan and we trusted in that plan EVEN THOUGH it seemed that a real kink had been thrown in OUR plan. We continued to trust in His plan.
I want to encourage you today to remember – this IS the day the Lord has made – start it with a good attitude and peace and firmly decide to keep that peace no matter what comes your way today – keep your mind on him and know that he has a good plan for you. Stay in peace.