“I have told you all this so that you may have ‘peace’ in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

~John 16:33 (NLT)

Perfect Peace

Author Unknown, Source:  E-Mail Ministry

There once was a King who offered a prize to the artist who would paint the best picture of peace. Many artists tried. The King looked at all the pictures, but there were only two he really liked and he had to choose between them.

One picture was of a calm lake. The lake was a perfect mirror for peaceful towering mountains were all around it. Overhead was a blue sky with fluffy white clouds. All who saw this picture thought that it was a perfect picture of peace.

The other picture had mountains too. But these were rugged and bare. Above was an angry sky from which rain fell, in which lightening played. Down the side of the mountain tumbled a foaming waterfall. This did not look peaceful at all.

But when the King looked, he saw behind the waterfall a tiny bush growing in a crack in the rock. In the bush a mother bird had built her nest. There, in the midst of the rush of angry water, sat the mother bird on her nest … perfect peace.

Which picture do you think won the prize?

The King chose the second picture.

Do you know why?

“Because,” explained the King, “peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. Peace means to be in the midst of all those things and still be calm in your heart. That is the real meaning of peace.”

My life is a lot like the second picture in this story.  Just when I think I’m about to get a break, the storm clouds start to form, the lightning strikes, and the rain starts to pour.  Not to worry though, God is there to provide His perfect peace.  There is no storm, no cloud, no lighting strike, and no amount of rain that can keep God from being Master over my life!  He is Lord!  In fact God has promised His peace which passes all understanding.  May God’s peace be constant in your life!

Dear Father God, Thank You for Your peace that passes all understanding!  I rest in knowing that You are in control.  My life is in Your hands!

Thankful for God’s Perfect Peace,
Sarah