Bible Verse
“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” — Isaiah 26:3 NKJV
Reflection
Recently, we had a rough day at my home. First, my dog was upset because a repair person entered his home turf. My dog is a 14-month-old Yorkie, so he feels that all visitors should have prior clearance. He also feels responsible for guarding the place. So, this unapproved visitor entry upset him greatly. He was yelping and shaking and almost hyperventilating.
I picked up my pup and held him, brushing my hand over his back, scratching around his ears. I kept telling him he was okay. I told him to settle. He would get quiet for a moment then start up again. I would repeat what I was telling him. Gradually, the calm took over. Moments of shaking and whining became fewer and further between. Eventually, he sat there calmly with me until the repair person left.
Later that evening, it was my turn. An unexpected event left me reeling, panicked about my wellbeing, scrambling in survival mode. I cried hysterically, shaking all over, desperate for the situation to resolve, and at the same time terrified of what would happen if it didn’t.
After some minutes of absolute sobbing and terror, with my pup following me around, staying very close, I remembered to ask God for help. I realized God could actually solve the problem. And if solving the problem wasn’t His plan, He had something better in mind and would see me through it. I could trust Him, even though the bottom threatened to fall out beneath me.
With shuddering tears, I begged God to help me. I just pleaded over and over again for help. I told Him I knew He could help, I knew He could fix it, I knew He had a way through. I knew He had me. I asked friends to pray as well. Finally, I settled into some sort of peace, realizing it was out of my hands and firmly in God’s hands.
In record time, faster than I would have imagined, the problem cleared. Everything was fine. No more nightmare scenario. I could breathe and get on with my evening. I collapsed to the ground, sobbing in relief, holding onto my dog, thanking God over and over for His faithfulness and His presence. I didn’t even have enough words to thank Him, but I know He felt the gratitude in my heart.
That’s when I realized God had responded to me the same way I had responded to my dog earlier in the day. During my time of upset and panic, God was there, holding me, calming me, telling me to settle, reassuring me. Like my dog, it took many shudders for me to sink into that calm presence. But just as I held onto my dog the whole time and protected him from the unauthorized visitor, God held onto me the whole time and protected me during that unexpected event.
As much as I was present for my dog during his upset, God was a billion times more present with me and much steadier than me. As I thought about my presence with my dog, it gave me a visual way to understand the depth of God’s calming presence during times of upset. The more I can grab hold of that understanding, the less those frightening popups in life will consume me.
Prayer
God, thank You for Your constant presence in our lives. Help us to always be aware of Your presence. To remember You are here with us, no matter what might come against us. Help us to focus on Your calming presence. To trust You to be with us and walk us through whatever we might face. On days when we feel calm and unafraid, remind us to stay focused on You, so we will remember to seek Your presence whenever it feels like the bottom is falling out. In Jesus’ name. Amen
Thought for the Day
When have you recently sensed the steadying, calming presence of God? Reflect on that moment and thank Him for it.
Adventures with God 