Finding peace in a world of uncertainty

On Tuesday at about 5pm, Casey read me an email from Miracle's social worker that caught us both by surprise. The birth mother requested regular visitation. A few minutes later, the social worker called and explained that the mother is starting to follow through on a portion of the social services required to regain custody of her children in the foster care system (Miracle and now Constance, born this past March).

Of course, we were both shocked and all sorts of scenarios played through our minds. We began praying and really haven't stopped. They are repetitive since the nagging thoughts are repetitive: "what if we can't keep Miracle?" That night I wept as I started to get emotionally in touch with the situation. Every moment with Miracle is now precious. I just want to hold her & cuddle with her, play with her, watch her smile, and simply delight in her. I was up with her at 12am, 1am, & 5:15am since she got sick last night and threw up her bottle several times. But it was relatively easy to be compassionate and giving because I was suddenly back in touch with how much I consider her to be a gift from God!

God has always used songs and hymns to reach my heart. They touch me in a unique way and help me express my emotions. Here are the words that caused me to weep Tues night:

I must tell Jesus all of my trials;
I cannot bear these burdens alone,
In my distress He kindly will help me,
He ever loves and cares for his own.

Chorus:
I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
I cannot bear my burdens alone;
I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
Jesus can help me, Jesus alone.

I must tell Jesus all of my troubles,
He is a kind, compassionate Friend;
If I but ask Him, He will deliver,
Makes of my troubles quickly an end.

The thing that is profound to me is that "I cannot bear my burdens alone." Jesus is there, available to help me carry them. God lost his Son once upon a time, but He gave Jesus up willingly just for me. God understands how I feel, more than I can really know.

Sometimes I wish Jesus were right here and I could curl up in his arms just like my daughters snuggle up and I hold them close.

Another song I have sung to Miracle the last 6 mths to help her get calm is:

I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.

Chorus:
I need Thee, O I need Thee; every hour I need Thee!
O bless me now, my Savior--I come to Thee.

I need Thee every hour, stay Thou near by;
Temptations lose their power when thou art nigh.

I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain;
Come quickly, and abide, or life is vain.

I need Thee every hour, teach me Thy will,
And Thy rich promises in me fulfill.

This song reminds me how much I need to pray:

What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear;
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer!
Can we find a friend so faithful, who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer!

Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer!
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He'll take and shield thee, thou wilt find a solace there.

What does the Bible Say? (a lot :-)
Luke 12:25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? No amount of worry, concern, or anxiety can lengthen the time I have with Miracle beyond what God decides is best.

Mt 6:25-34 is the single longest treatise the Bible gives us on the topic of worry. It encourages me not to waste our energy worrying about whether God will meet the basic needs of my life. Concerning myself with Kingdom priorities will put all these others in perspective. A brother helped me out last night and reminded me that when I worry, I am not at my best and in fact am probably not thinking clearly.

Luke 21:14
But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. Jesus was preparing his disciples for the time when they would be brought to court because of their faith. It would be an opportunity to share their faith, yet their lives also hung in the balance. He tells them to make up their minds not to worry. I think I'm out of touch with what/how I worry. Since I view worrying as negative, my perception of myself is that I don't really worry much (how about that!). I don't think that's so correct anymore. My worrying is expressed in staying busy or thinking tactically/strategically about the future and finding ways to control or influence a situation.

So how can the Bible and God help me?

Psalm 94:19 When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul. I need to access the consolation God is trying to offer to me. I think this will involve turning off my racing mind and my agenda and meditating on how God is offering me peace.

Phil 4:4-9 is a banner scripture in many ways. It tells me to rejoice in the Lord in all circumstances. It reminds me that God and Jesus are near to me, and that should change how I view my life. It commands me not to be anxious about anything. I can exorcise the demons of anxiety through prayer, petition, and requests to God, who understand both my needs and my need to ask about my needs! This scripture describes the "peace that passes understanding," but it is only achieved through prayer. This peace can literally stand guard over my heart and mind to keep it from racing through the possibilities with Miracle. It can prevent me from over-indexing on every tidbit of news and information that comes from her social workers.

Lastly, this scripture tells me where to focus: on the good things that God put into this world. God wants me thinking about things that are true, good, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy. God is a God of peace and promises to be with me all the way (Phil 4:9, Mt 28:20).

Peace. There are 247 scriptures in the NIV that mention this word. I don't think I'll get to all of them this morning :-). Phil 4 was probably a good enough start for now... the Hebrew word in "shalom" and part of the reason it is mentioned so often in the Bible is that it was a classic greeting among the Jews and therefore "shalom" shows up in many of the narratives. In addition, the Bible describes many battles and conflicts; for every rumor of war there is mention of peace, too.

Psalm 4:8 I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.
Psalm 29:11 The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.
Psalm 85:10 Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other.
Psalm 119:165 Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.
Proverbs 14:30 A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.
Proverbs 17:1 Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife
e.
Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.
Isaiah 32:18 My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.
Isaiah 55:12 You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.
Luke 2:14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 16:33 "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."
Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Romans 8:6 The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace;
Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,
Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
1 Pt 3:10-13. "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."