Heart Peace-What's It Look Like?

Everyone wants to have peace, the kind that allows one to have restful sleep, be free of nagging anxieties, and have the freedom to move on with life. I always wondered about that "peace that passes all understanding". Have you ever wanted to know what it is? I wondered what that kind of peace would look like. How would it work?

I got the chance to experience and examine this peace from God first hand in 2005. My husband and I were in a surgical center where tests and procedures are given to see if patients have operable tumors or repairable injuries before any surgeries are recommended. My husband had been in with doctors and technicians for about an hour. Then, the doctor came out and I was directed to a very small, cramped room. The doctor sat across from me and looked me directly in the eyes. He said,"Your husband has cancer . . .". I know he said many other things and the last thing he said was, "I won't be able to speak with him about this until around 7:30 this evening. You will have to tell him what I have told you."

I actually mumbled, "Thank you and God bless you." I really don't know where that came from. Unbelievable! I said "Thank you",for telling me my husband of over forty years has cancer, and I get to tell him, and our sons!

I will admit there was a very brief meltdown on my part right after this news. It was handled nicely by one of the gals in the reception area of the surgical center. I told her that aside from the word cancer, everything else the doctor said was going to happen just disappeared from my mind,just like an egg sliding off a teflon pan. I panicked. I did not know what I was going to say, to my husband,or to my sons. Then the lady prayed with me. From that moment on, I was peaceful.

So how does that peace beyond understanding work? I can only tell you how it worked for us. We were literally held up physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I saw clearly what I must do, say and decide, and I did it. Neither my husband nor I asked "Why?" We did ask, "Where do we go from here." We rested in those loving arms holding us up. God really is there in a time of need and at all times!

I began to recall scripture that applied to the situation, and we prayed and prayed with everyone. And we were peaceful, truly without fear and without anxious thoughts. Because, as I said, we were being held closely by the One who loves us.

So I say that now in these trying times,when things are so unstable and fear wants to rob you of every shred of confidence in God and in yourself,yes now is the time to ask for this peace. It is real and it is for you. Just ask. Doma