Peace

I believe we would all agree that the world is a more turbulent place today than at any time in recent memory. And, in times such as these, peace and calm are often replaced with fear and anxiety. Peace and calm, when they are achieved by ignoring reality become problems in and of themselves. However, facing life’s challenges with peace and calm often makes the difference between decisive game-winning decisions and the analysis paralysis that often carries a heavy price.

In my initial conversation with my Oncologist, I told him that I needed the worst case scenario from the beginning. I needed to make peace with what “might be” so that I could begin to focus on the “most likely.” His response was simple and direct followed up with what he believed to be the most likely scenario before us. And with that, I acknowledged the risks and focused my attention on the most likely scenario.

Understanding the worst case scenario isn’t always about accepting it as inevitable. It is simply about understanding your adversary. Is the adversary mortality? Is it financial ruin? Is it public humiliation? Oddly, the “worst case scenario” tends to be unique to us individually. For some public humiliation of financial ruin would be worse than actual financial ruin itself.

Back to peace. I marvel at the story of Jesus calming the wind and the waves as found in scripture. Christ was asleep in a boat that was taking on water. All the while, His disciples who had just seen Him performing miracles, are losing their minds trying to save themselves. Finally, they decide to wake up Jesus. His rebuke is swift declaring that they had little faith.

I often find myself seeking relief from my own failed efforts much like the disciples. Christ can easily offer me the same rebuke. My current situation, however, has been different. I knew from the moment I heard the diagnosis that I was the loser without Christ in my corner. There was no delay in seeking Christ while attempting to save myself. And, I can report with confidence, that Christ immediately calmed the winds and the waves in my storm.

Each of us is in the midst of a storm. That is the nature of life in this world. So, please consider doing two things. First, call on Christ to calm the wind and waves in your personal storm. Second, remember that those around you may be frantically attempting to save themselves and simply need to be directed to Christ. He doesn’t promise to remove all pain or even spare us from our “worst case scenario.” However, we are never alone. He is always in the boat ready to bring peace and calm to your storm.

“…Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.” Matt 8:26

“…I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Heb 13:5