“If you do this you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your heart quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4: 7 (NLT)

Imagine if you never had to worry about anything! Wouldn’t that be wonderful, but it’s not reality. We all have something or someone to worry about. People worry about all kinds of things, finances, jobs, kids, relationships, family, illness, and so much more. We live in a chaotic world. All we need to do is look around us. The news tells us of the rising cases of Covid-19. Who would have ever thought we would still be dealing with the pandemic all these months later? People have lost their jobs and are in danger of losing the roof over their heads. Gun violence is way up. Shooting and murders are the normal in the news these days. All over the world, there are earthquakes, floods, tornadoes, and more are happening, and hundreds are either injured, missing, or dead.

Several years ago, I wrote a sermon entitled F.R.O.G (Fully Rely On God).  I came across this sermon recently, and it got me thinking about when we fully rely on God; we can and will experience His peace. This little phrase reminds us that even amid storms around us, God is in control, and he walks us through the storms of life. He is our anchor and stronghold. God’s peace is different from the world’s peace. It isn’t just found in positive thinking, in the absence of conflict, or good feelings. Real peace comes from knowing that God is in control. It comes from truly knowing and having a relationship with Him. To conclude, I have shared one of my favorite songs of all time, “In Christ Alone” by Andrew Rinaldi. The first few lines of this song remind me that my hope faith is found in Christ alone.

I hope and pray today that your hope and faith is found in Christ alone.

In Christ Alone (by Andrew Rinaldi)

In Christ alone my hope is found; He is my light, my strength, my song;
This cornerstone, this solid ground, Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace, When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!

My comforter, my all in all, Here in the love of Christ I stand.
In Christ alone, Who took on flesh, Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness, Scorned by the ones He came to save.
Till on that cross as Jesus died, The wrath of God was satisfied;
For every sin on Him was laid, Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay, Light of the world by darkness slain;
Then bursting forth in glorious day, Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory, Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me;
For I am His and He is mine, Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death This is the power of Christ in me;
From life’s first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man, Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home, Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand.

written by Major Jacki Blanchard, Social Ministries Department, USA East