Have you ever known someone who remained calm in the face of trouble? Perhaps they have lost their job and money is tight, yet they face the future with confidence. Perhaps they or a loved one has a life-threatening illness, yet they remain full of hope. Perhaps they are the victim of gossip, slander and unjust accusations, their character has been called into question, yet they remain cheerful and unruffled.
We admire people who remain calm, hopeful and cheerful in spite of trouble and calamity. Even more impressive are those who are able to impart their own calm and confidence to others during times of crisis. They are able to quell panic and irrational behavior by their presence. Their rock-like steadiness enables others to remain calm.
What is it that allows someone to remain calm in the face of trouble and adversity? For many it is trust and confidence in something outside of themselves. They do not rely on their own self-sufficiency, rather on someone who is greater than their circumstances. To put it another way, they believe in God and trust Him to fulfill the promises He has made. For example, the prophet Isaiah wrote this about God: “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.” (Isaiah 26:3 NIV) God rewards our trust in Him by granting us peace.
Jesus made the same promise. He said to His disciples, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NIV)
The writer of the book of Hebrews reminds us, “…God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”” (Hebrews 13:5-6 NIV)
Do we have the peace that God and Jesus have promised those who trust in them? Do we know that God is our helper? Do we overcome the world, or does the world overcome us? If we allow the difficulties, problems and stresses of this life to overcome us then we are not following Christ as we should. If we do not have peace, then we need to trust God more.