A Picture of Peace…

Wow. How crazy is life right now? This virus certainly has thrown a kink in our “normal” schedules right? The training studio I own was just shut down by the government. My kids are out of school until who knows when. My wife is an assistant principal and is running` non-stop to deal with the crisis. Churches are closed. There are too many other disruptions to list in this short blogpost. Think about your own life for a minute. How has it changed in the last two weeks? Pretty unbelievable right? We see all kinds of encouraging messages on social media about trusting God. We see memes about having no fear. We see copy and paste letters of prayers to pass along. Is it working to calm you? Yes? No? If your answer is no, let me share something that may help.

I believe it was Martin Luther who once said, “Control and security is the ultimate idol of humanity. We prove time and time again that we will exchange almost anything for a taste of it.” For anyone struggling today, I want to encourage you to let some things go. Let go of the things that really ARE NOT in your control anyway. It’s natural to rely on our ways, but you and I know, it does not work. I know I’m at risk of losing you here because what I just wrote sounds like every quote you are seeing on social media right now. My words remind you of what every motivational speaker has been saying for years. Hang with me. Letting go is valuable advice, but I’m afraid we really don’t know what that looks like. Let me provide a picture:

Looking at this picture brings tears to my eyes. You are looking at a picture of my wife, a brand new mother, fixing her gaze on her one pound child with overwhelming love. It brings me to tears because I was side by side with this mother who experienced a supernatural peace provided by a gracious God. I experienced this peace myself. As a matter of fact, this peace sustained us in a time with one pound twins in the NICU where it would make sense to collapse, give up, and feel like dying. When I say it would make sense, I mean it was so hard that people would’ve totally understood and been sympathetic if we had collapsed under the weight of what was going on each day. But we didn’t. We walked in peace and held hands with hope. People couldn’t understand the peace we walked in during that time. To be honest, it took a long time for ME to understand it.  It has EVERYTHING to do with letting go.

“I have learned to kiss the wave that throws me against the Rock of Ages.” ~ Charles Spurgeon

We are promised peace in the Bible: “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock” ~ Isaiah 26;3-4

When difficulties hit us, our hearts get shaky and our minds start running all over the place. If we could only remember God’s promises! Well, sometimes by the grace of God, He reveals His promises to us in the middle of the storm.  I had a perfect peace because I had NOTHING else to hold onto. I was a new dad with twins who looked like little baby birds. I was surrounded by gifted people and technology I did not understand. I was exhausted and at the end of myself. I would look at my wife who had this amazing light shining through her. A presence that flooded the NICU day and night no matter the circumstances. Her spirit strengthened me, but at one point even that wasn’t enough. It was at that EXACT point that I – “let go”. I didn’t give up. I gave in. I gave it all to God…no…I spilled it out all over God. It makes me smile today.  You see, He taught me, reminded me, and continues to remind me that He gave His son to save me. His son spilled blood on the cross so that I may live. Where do you run when rough seas are pounding you? Who do you seek for advice and steadiness? What do you turn to for comfort? If it isn’t God, it will only lead to temporary comfort and fleeting peace. If it isn’t God, you only really have yourself. If you are struggling right now…getting bounced around in anxiety…beaten up by fear…feeling sick in a sea of uncertainty, DO NOT collapse in discouragement. God holds you in the midst of the struggle. He is working right now in ways we do not see and cannot understand. Give it to Him. I pray that we never forget that Jesus gave His life for us so that we may find shelter in Him and be held in a perfect peace. I love you all & God bless!  ~ Anthony

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” ~ John 16:33