Isaiah 26:3 - "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you."

December is upon us and the world greets us with all the hustle and bustle it can muster. Music blaring. Lights flashing. People rushing.

Perfect Peace. Does it seem elusive to you? Peace in every circumstance. I can fully understand!

In our lives there are so many things that flood our thoughts and try to steal us of our deep and abiding peace in Christ. Sometimes without even knowing it.

Maybe it’s our job. We could be concerned about layoffs, trying to make the weekly paycheck stretch to cover groceries and the next heating bill~ let alone purchasing Christmas gifts for those we love. We might have co-workers that don’t pull their weight or are grumpy and unkind.

Possibly it’s our relationships. The family member that has become estranged or makes holiday gatherings miserable. The child that is often the cause of worry and angst. A friendship that’s been broken because pride has gotten in the way of an apology.

Perhaps it’s a health concern. A scary diagnosis that you’re facing. Caring for a loved one in ill health and it has become overwhelmingly painful and exhausting. Your own limitations and daily pain due to adverse conditions that have impacted your health.

It may be that we let our mistakes, our short-comings, others’ criticisms, and our beliefs of self; whether they are true or not; steal that perfect peace. Sometimes we have expectations for ourselves or others that are just unattainable.

Often, when perfect peace is difficult to find it’s due to ruminating on our own thoughts about a situation or circumstance. We let our minds replay the worst case scenarios over and over like a broken record. Wait- let me rephrase that. We choose to replay those thoughts like a broken record.

But today’s scripture reminds us that we are kept in perfect peace when our “...minds are steadfast, because they trust in…” God. The Oxford dictionary defines steadfast as unwavering. It’s an Old English word that was first used in the context of battle. Soldiers who were steadfast were “firmly fixed in place.” Isaiah 26:3 is reminding us that when we have our minds firmly fixed on God~ rather than our concerns, worries and trials~ we will find that perfect peace we are longing for.

This time of year we often think of Mary, the mother of Jesus. A young teenage virgin, who found herself expecting a child that was promised to be the Son of God. Whoa! That’s enough to cause a little worry~ on many levels!

But listen to the words of the angel to Mary and her response found in Luke 1:37-38. [The angel said,] “For no word from God will ever fail.” and Mary simply replies, “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

If anyone had reason to think through a list of worries, Mary did! I can just imagine her thinking, “How am I ever going to tell Joseph? Will he keep our betrothal? How will I break this news to my family? What are my friends and neighbors going to think?” Yet, Mary had such unwavering faith in God that her reply was simply one of trust. Her mind was steadfast and she trusted in Him. She was resting in God’s perfect peace.

Where are you focusing your mind today? If we spend our time allowing our mind to ruminate over things that upset us or worry us, we are not being robbed of peace~ we are giving it away freely. When, like Mary, we fix our minds on God, we can focus on His presence, His promises and His provision; and find that He provides us with His perfect peace.

Written by Lorinda Allen