Walk Steadfast in God’s Perfect Peace: Isaiah 26:3

Perfect peace. Just saying those words sets my heart and mind a little more at ease in these trying and uncertain times. The rapid worldwide spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has swept chaos and confusion into every corner of our lives–work and school, vacations and sports, food and shopping, church services, and even haircut appointments.

Suddenly, pursuing peace is a daily, often hourly, endeavor. I feel unsettled, and I imagine you do too. This past month, as routines have shifted and emotions have wavered, I found myself thinking about another experience where I felt less steady on my feet. While we were on a trip in Vancouver, British Columbia, my husband and I researched top attractions and discovered Capilano Suspension Bridge Park…

Crossing the bridge

The Capilano Suspension Bridge spans 450 feet (137m) across and 230 feet (70m) above the Capilano River. Walking over it was NOT at the top of my vacation to-do list. Just thinking about stepping away from solid ground onto its lengthy, swaying surface suspended high over a rocky river heightened my anxiety.

My husband, however, who is afraid of heights, yet more afraid of missing out on a top attraction said, “We have to do this!” Not being one to dampen vacation enthusiasm, I whispered a little lighthearted prayer something like, “God, please don’t let me be flung into the river,” and off we went on our adventure.

Before arriving, I found some helpful advice online for anyone scared of walking across the bridge–“stay centered, take sure steps, and focus on your goal.” Keeping these strategies in mind, I stepped onto the bridge. And, do you know what? I did not feel afraid. My feet were firmly placed. I felt safe and secure. There was no rush to make it to the other side. I took my time to pause, marvel at what I was doing, and enjoy the view.

Like a scary bridge…

In some ways, crossing that scary bridge is like making our way through this pandemic. Both cause fear and anxiety. The journey is uncertain and possibly dangerous. We can only reach the other side one step at a time. An endpoint exists somewhere in the distance, but it is not yet visible. There are a lot of unknowns.

How do we cope with the unknowns brought into our lives by the coronavirus? Some advice we’ve been given includes: wash your hands, maintain social distance, find new ways to connect with people, establish routines, and exercise outside. Those measures certainly give us some sense of control and stability, but are they enough? I don’t know about you, but my need for peace goes beyond the things I can do for myself. I need God in this.

God provides reliable hope and peace in many ways, but he especially offers it through the Bible. Through the Word of God we discover what is known, and the known helps us battle the unknowns. There are many truths in Scripture to combat fear and worry, but lately the one I keep circling is this:

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Isaiah 26:3 NIV

You will keep in perfect peace

We all long for perfect peace–a true, lasting sense of security and well being that remains with us even in troubling times. Peace, like hope or love, is a feeling that is difficult to define, but one we know exists. The verse Philippians 4:7 aptly describes the peace of God as something that surpasses all understanding.

As our Creator, God is the originator of true peace, not us. He “keeps” us – he guards, protects, and gives us what we need. His love never leaves or forgets us. Because God is in control of the universe, only he can grace us with perfect peace.

God prepared the way for us to receive his peace through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. Jesus, the ‘Prince of Peace’, paid the price for our sins so we could be forgiven and made right with God (2 Corinthians 5:21).

By accepting Jesus as our Savior, we receive peace with God (Romans 5:1). When we have peace with God, the Holy Spirit goes to work within us to instill the peace of God (Galatians 5:22-23).

Initiating a relationship with Jesus lays the groundwork for God’s peace to come into our lives. As we grow in faith, we will feel less tossed by turmoil and more stabilized by God’s love. He keeps us in his perfect peace.

those whose minds are steadfast

What does it mean to have a steadfast mind? Different Bible translations use the words: “fixed on”, “stayed on”, “dependent on”, “focused on” and “firm”. To me, “steadfast” conveys a sense of duty and purpose. It sounds committed, unwavering, and steady…the way I felt walking across the bridge.

Remember the advice I read about crossing the bridge? “Stay centered, take sure steps, and focus on your goal.” I think it also applies to having a mind which is steadfast on God.

Worries and fears distract us from God. They cause our minds to run amok with troublesome thoughts and images. The Holy Spirit can help us halt runaway thought patterns, and bring our attention back to God and what he can do (2 Corinthians 10:5).

With the Holy Spirit’s help we can strengthen our faith mindset. Some activities to build steadfastness include:
-studying the Bible
-praying
-worship
-showing God’s love to others
-meditating on God’s promises
-listening to Christian music
-expressing gratitude
-using spiritual gifts to praise to God.

Over time, as we find faith activities which work for us, we notice new patterns developing in our thinking. Gradually, we form new habits which redirect our minds away from anxiety and more towards receiving the peace of God (Philippians 4:6-7).

The Holy Spirit helps us train our minds to be steadfast in seeking God’s truth and goodness. No matter how shaky or worrisome conditions become, we can stay centered with God’s wisdom, take sure steps based on his direction, and focus on living life like Jesus did.

because they trust in you

Trust proclaims the ongoing faith believers have in God’s plans to work everything together for their good (Romans 8:28). Because sin and darkness do exist, we will face hard times in this world. God is sovereign, therefore, he can choose to change or to use our circumstances according to his will. Suffering, although painful and confusing, often leads us to recognize and rely on God like never before.

Although we cannot always understand his timing or his ways, trusting in God means we believe his long range plans for us are indeed good.

God is the rock eternal. (Isaiah 26:4)

The next verse I read in Isaiah further justifies trusting in God. He is the “rock eternal”–we can depend on him in this life and beyond. All other people or things we rely on will eventually fail us or pass away, but God does not. We can trust him to never leave and to never change (Hebrews 13:8).

Continually set your mind on God’s enduring refuge for strength to weather the storm (Psalm 46:1).

At all times, but especially in a crisis, we can trust God to be our safe place. The coronavirus “storm” is upon us. Its force will hit each of us differently, but we can share the same shelter in Christ. Knowing where to go for refuge helps me feel less afraid. I pray you feel the same way. May God keep you in his perfect peace.

Press on in faith my friends! ~Jamie

A prayer for our world:

Dear Lord,
We lift our hurting world up to you in prayer. The coronavirus has taken lives and sickened so many. Our hearts ache from the losses and we are weary. Please guard and comfort those who are working hard to care for others in this battle. Provide them with courage, rest, and provisions to continue in this desperate time of need. Pour out your mercy and grace on all who are sick, suffering, or scared.

We pray you take this pandemic away from our world, and in doing so use it for your glory. May love, encouragement, and faith flourish among all people. Draw us closer to you and fill us with your strength so we can help shine your light somehow in this darkness. May our trust in you hold our minds steadfast on your truths and on your goodness. Keep us, Lord, in your most perfect peace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Isaiah 26:3 NIV

Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

Once you cross the suspension bridge, there are other park attractions including the Treetops Adventure and the Cliffwalk. Take a look through the gallery of photos below. For more information and photos visit the park’s website. And, check out these fun and interesting facts about the bridge on their blog.

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Related Posts:

Be Still and Know that I am God
Connecting with the Holy Spirit
Seeking 3 Kinds of Peace
Designed for Prayer: the pause of a praying mantis
Praying God Protects Who We Love
Battles, Trust, and Holding Up
Trusting God along the Eagle Trail

Inspiring Resources:

How can I Learn to Trust that God is in Control – gotquestions.com
The 20 Verses You Love Most: #14 Perfect Peace – lizcurtishiggs.com
How do I take every thought captive? – activechristianity.org
Perfect Peace for Anxious Souls – desiringgod.org
Coronavirus Resources for Faith and Prayer – crosswalk.com