Thou will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” (Isaiah 26:3 NIV)
I love to walk. Some days, I walk over 25,000 steps.
I especially like walking in my neighborhood, using the opportunity to reflect on what is going on with my own life. I think about my goals and the areas I may have fallen short. But I have to admit, it’s also a time for me to catch up on my emails and respond to text messages.
We all know how dangerous driving and texting can be. Walking and texting present some challenges as well. One afternoon, I was responding to a text messages. Just as I sent my response, I looked up and saw a snake on the sidewalk just a few steps in front of me. My heart raced. Thankfully, I looked up just in time to avoid a potentially dangerous situation. My distraction almost caused a real problem for me.
We often walk into situations that could pose real problems for us because we are distracted. We encounter many distressing circumstances by not focusing on God and His plan for our life. When we allow ourselves to become consumed with the things of the world, we become apprehensive.
Sure, the world has many problems, but we have a promise from God. He will keep us in perfect peace if our minds are committed to Him. When we get distracted, and our minds are not committed to God, we may find ourselves in situations that lead to frustration and anxiety.
If I had kept my mind on walking, rather than becoming distracted with texting, I would have seen the snake ahead of time. If I had seen it from afar, I could have crossed to the other side of the street and avoided unnecessary panic. When we keep our minds focused on and committed to God, He will show us how to avoid some dangerous situations. But we must listen for God’s voice. Even when we face challenges, the peace of God is promised to those who keep their mind centered on Him.
What kinds of things are distracting you from the peace that God offers?
Dr. Evelyn Johnson-Taylor