18th December
Peace, Interrupted
Slipping off my shoes so as not to wake up my parents, I climbed the stairs to my bedroom, full to the brim with the fun-filled friendship of our office Christmas party. After a difficult breakup with my boyfriend, I felt at peace for a fresh start in the coming year.
As soon as I opened my bedroom door, however, beer-breath and drunken snores, shattered my peace into smithereens. My ex had discreetly let himself in then fallen asleep, with my mum’s longest carving knife beside him.
Afraid for my own and my parents’ safety, I didn’t’ call out. I did, however, manage to conceal the knife, just before he woke up.
The pure fear that terrorised me throughout that night is a gift from God, warning of imminent danger and prompting a fight or flight response. Thankfully, we weren’t hurt. But other fears can interrupt peace that are not from God. Anxiety, for example, induced by irrational or unproved assumptions, that overwhelms thoughts and emotions, holds us back from making decisions or taking action, and which potentially undermines health.
In the Christmas narrative and throughout scripture, God repeatedly tells us, ‘Do not fear’ while also promising peace, even in difficulty. So, if anxiety has interrupted your experience of God’s promised peace, take time to dwell with Philippians 4:6-7:
‘Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.’
Talk to God freely about your worries but then thank him for his loving care and for knowing how to help. As you do, your faith in his goodness will be reassured and his peace will be restored, ousting your fear.
