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The Inspiration Verse for our June Encouragement Kit is Perfect Peace

Isaiah 26:3 "You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You... because he trusts in You."

I chose this verse because living in this busy, loud and chaotic world leaves me longing for peace. I’m certain that I’m not alone in this deep desire of the heart. Whether it is wading through the choppy waters of painful family relationships, financial difficulties, health crises, navigating parenting challenges or just the uncertainties of the future, most people long for peace. 

A Reminder for Us All

I wanted to focus on this verse because I think it speaks to us all, and offers a precious promise for believers, no matter the season of life we find ourselves in. 

When you think of peace, is there a place that comes to mind? I think of the beach. There is just something about watching the water, hearing the sound of the waves, the smell of the salty air and the way the wind feels that just puts my mind at ease. Seeing it reminds me how powerful God is and how magnificent His creation is...nothing compares to it.

I've Always Longed for the Beach

When I see the ocean I feel incredibly close to Him and as soon as I see it, the constant hamster wheel of busy thoughts settles down and peace washes over me. So, when my life gets hectic and feels overwhelming, I’ve always longed for the beach. 

Several years ago, I was in the midst of a really difficult season and was really longing to go to the beach and sit. A trip to the Gulf Coast is only about 4 hours away, but there was no way to work it into our schedule. So I was doing what I felt was the next best thing, power walking.

God Spoke to Me Exactly Where I Was

Walking through my neighborhood, talking to God and just praying was helping ease some of my frustrations. This was actually many years ago, but I remember it like yesterday. I was power walking and in the middle of unloading my pity party on to my Father, adding to my list of complaints, the need for a beach trip to sit on the beach and watch the sunset to help ease some stress. About the time I finished that thought, I rounded a corner and began topping a steep hill when all of a sudden I was met face to face with a beautiful sunset bursting through the trees!

The most precious feeling washed over me as I heard Him speak peace to my frazzled heart and say, “I cause the sun to set here, too. You don’t have to drive four hours to experience the magnificence of My creation. It’s been right here all along!” That experience changed me! It burned the desire in my heart to want to have eyes to see Him in the little things, to recognize His handiwork in the mundane, and to remember He is actively present in the hardest of places. 

That Experience Changed Me

These magnificent sunsets had been happening all along, but I hadn't been noticing them because that was not where I was focusing my attention. The ocean commands my attention, but at home, I was allowing my circumstances to command my attention.

I have to be more intentional to look for His presence right where I am. His presence is available at sunset, at sunrise, on a cloudy day when the sun is nowhere in sight and even during the darkest of nights. That experience changed me. I want my mind to do as the scriptures say, and stay focused on Him.

This scripture says, He will KEEP him in perfect peace whose mind is STAYED on You...BECAUSE he TRUSTS in you” Isaiah 26:3. I capitalized the words that are keywords to me. I like to look closer to see how to apply it to my life so I look at it in reverse.

Because I TRUST in Him, my mind will STAY Focused ON Him THEN He will KEEP me in PERFECT peace.

Perfect Peace is a supernatural peace. It is not dependent upon my circumstances, it defies human understanding and is worth the sacrifice..

His perfect peace is a precious gift! I pray you are flooded with His gift today! Blessings to you!

Sincerely,

Pam Coxwell | From the Heart Art