In Search of Peace

Philippians 4:4-7 (TNIV)  

 ⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

It is difficult to find peace in the midst of obligation, responsibility, uncertainty, demands and deadlines. Anxiety is a useful emotion that God gave us to alert and help protect us from danger. It serves a purpose in small doses and certain situations, but prolonged anxiety is unhealthy.  It effects our physical and mental health, our relationships and our financial wellbeing. 

Last week, I met Katherine (not her real name) during a long wait at the doctor’s office and she told me her inspiring story. As a teenager, Katherine was  a beautiful, cheerful and carefree young woman and today at the age of 30 she looks much older. Her face is drawn and tired from years of endless, needless worry and self-abuse.

Her friends called her “Kat Angel" because she always worked so hard to do things for others, putting aside her own needs in the process.  In reality, Katherine worried about everything in life.  She had two alarm clocks next to her bed to make sure that she got up on time, which was unnecessary since she generally woke up about a half an hour before the alarm went off.  Most nights she was lucky to get 4-5 hours of sleep.  Before leaving home, she checked the stove at least four times to make sure it was turned off and she checked the locks on the doors at least twice.  She paid each bill as it was received, because she did not want to take a chance of being late.  She arrived for every appointment at least thirty minutes earlier than scheduled and sometimes an hour.  But the worst of it is that she constantly worried about what people thought of her and if they liked her; strangers, family and friends alike. As a result, she worked tirelessly to try to please everyone.    

No one else in her life worried about anything because they knew that they could count on Katherine to take care of each situation. They became so accustomed to how she took care of them that they soon took her granted. Her gift of helping turned into expectation, obligation and responsibility.  Her shoulders became rounded and she was physically hunched over from carrying the weight of their burdens.  

Secretly she started to use drugs and alcohol to reduce her chronic physical and emotional pain. Finally, she became so resentful that one day she simply walked away. Actually, she moved away, with a suitcase of clothing, her small life savings and without a word to anyone.  

Next week she will reunite with her family after a two-year absence. She told me that she is a changed person and now ready to reunite with them.  I asked her, “How did you do it?  How did you change”? 

Tune in next week to hear about her remarkable transformation.  

In the meantime, if you are feeling anxious, start by following the advice of Paul written from a Roman prison.  By prayer, petition and thanksgiving, turn your requests over to God.  He will lift your burdens and give you peace.  

“When one door of happiness closes, another one opens: but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.”   Helen Keller