Perfect Peace // Psalm 4:8

Do you find it odd how there are times when we peaceless when we should be the most peaceful? I’m particularly thinking about a couple weeks ago when I battled a little insomnia. I was safely snuggled under the covers in my bed, but my mind could only swirl around what was to come. I made the conscious decision to pray and started lifting the things that were making me anxious. Can you guess what happened next? I quickly slipped out of prayer and back into worry. I felt that snag in my spirit and went back to prayer, but that time started thanking God for being with me in my angst, for promising to be with me in my challenges, and showing up in ways I was completely unaware. I was able to then fall back to sleep, peacefully. May I suggest that same process to you in the times when your anxiety robs you of rest? It’s perfectly ok to pray about your problems; in fact, God wants that, but there are times when what we need to focus on the most is how God is with us, promised to go before us, and is there in the in-between even when we’re completely unaware. Fix your focus on the Lord, because when you do, the promise of Isaiah 26:3 will become real for you: “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” That way, you can lie down in peace to sleep as the Lord helps you dwell in His protection!