Isaiah 26:3, 4 
“You will keep in perfect peace 
all who trust in you, 
all whose thoughts are fixed on you! 
Trust in the Lord always, 
for the LORD GOD is the eternal Rock.” (NLT)

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Peace is possible when you know where you came from, where you are headed, when you remember that you belong to God, and are never out of his care. 

It has been good to remember these thoughts the last several days as my bride and I have battled a virus of some sort. Our experience reminded me of a man who said he was so sick he was afraid he was going to die. It got so bad he was afraid he wouldn’t.

I was tempted to remind God how much I have to do. Then I realized I should probably not compare to-do lists with the LORD of All Creation. 

As The Beatles’ John Lennon famously stated, “Life is what happens when you are making other plans.” My plans are hereby altered until my gut gets back in line. I will trust God to empower me for what only I can do. I will trust him to empower others to do what must be done. I will trust his perfect timing and provision for everything else. 

Since God has done a pretty good job of everything forever, and since he has not depended on me to achieve any of it, I am sure he will manage the universe just fine without me at my best. 

Even so, I’m ready to get back in the game. “Put me in, Coach,” is my prayer. “Sit out a couple of more plays,” is his reply. 

What does a peaceful heart and mind do at times like these? 
* Rest
* Read
* Write
* Pray

This could turn out to be productive in unexpected ways. I might even finish some things that are overdue. I might shape up some plans for future events. 

Peace is possible even with a stomach bug. I am living proof. I am also feeling nauseated, so I’ll stop here for now.

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I will live in perfect peace because God is in charge of everything, including me.

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Our Father, thank you for the peace arising from knowing you are in charge. I am never out of your care. You are always on my mind. I trust you for all things. You are my rock. Amen.