When you need peace

Several times inthe past week, I have found myself quoting these words from Philippians 4:8 tomyself and others:

“ . . . whatsoeverthings are true,

whatsoever thingsare honest,

whatsoever thingsare just,

whatsoever thingsare pure,

whatsoever thingsare lovely,

whatsoever thingsare of good report:

if there be any virtue,

and if there beany praise,

think on thesethings.” 

And in Isaiah26:3, the King James reads:

“Thou wilt keephim in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth inthee.” 

We are haunted bythe images and stories we see in the news these days and some of the circumstancesare striking us either directly or indirectly. What I find is to be of help toothers as well as ourselves when circumstances seem overwhelming, we keep oureyes on the One who never changes and whose truth is unwavering. 

If we only immerseourselves in the spiraling vortex of one sad thing after another, we will find wegrow spiritually weaker. 

It can be helpfulto meditate on the verses above and remember what it is true, right, just,pure, lovely and of a good report even in much difficulty. In the worstsituations, we can see God at work in small and large ways using His people to bringhope in what seem hopeless situations.

We need to knowwhat is going on in the world, and stay informed, but we also need to rememberthat despite what may happen, we keep our eyes on Jesus, who “ . . .  is the same yesterday and today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8).

And it is in thetruth of his powerful words we find great hope and peace.

We continue to bein prayer for all those so devastatingly affected by Hurricane Helene as wellas those in the path of Hurricane Milton in the next few days.  

 Coming soon, A New Thing from Beverly Varnado, another volume in the small-town romance series set in Worthville, Georgia. Beverly Varnado is an award-winning multi-published author and screenwriter as well as a blogger and artist. Her most recent book is a middle grade historical from Elk Lake Publishing, In Search of the Painted Bunting.

Her blog, One Ringing Bell, has nearly 1,000 posts in its archives. Her work has been featured on World Radio, in the Upper Room Magazine, a dozen anthologies, and other periodicals, and online sites. One of her screenplays was a finalist for the prestigious Kairos Prize in screenwriting. More at link bio. 

 

 

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