Peace When Plans Fall Apart - Your Nightly Prayer - July 17th
Peace When Plans Fall Apart
by Britt Mooney
TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” - Isaiah 26:3
SOMETHING TO PONDER
For most of my family, a great deal changes once summer arrives.
My wife teaches at the local high school, and my two daughters attend there, as well. They’ve started calling the final month of school “Maycember” due to the overwhelming amount of activity—finals, music performances, and more. While in the throes of the busyness, summer break shines with hope. “When we get to summer” becomes a common phrase attached to big plans.
Once school ends, they will get a job, read these books, get together with these friends, take this online class, and go on this trip. Of course, we live in a world where plans go awry for various reasons. Placing so many expectations on the summer, we’re bound to be disappointed or frustrated.
We often forget the most important priority, to keep our focus on Christ. The cares of this life easily distract us, crying out for our attention, from necessary things like work or school to good desires like spending time with friends and family. However, none of these things will keep us in complete peace. Instead, they train our minds to think that our rest depends upon situations, and in a broken and temporary world, these fail us, sooner or later.
Isaiah reminds us of the true source, the one who is peace. Keeping our minds upon Christ provides the peace we seek, something eternal, beyond this world, and therefore not dependent upon anything in or of it.
The secret is finding peace in the craziness of May and the rest of June, both only possible as we focus our hearts on the all-powerful Father who loves us and promises to care for us. Then, when plans invariably go the way of the world, we remain secure in the way of heaven.
YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
Heavenly Father,
During a busy season and with the promise of summer plans, help us fix our eyes on you. Remind us that complete and utter peace can’t come from situations but from your unchanging presence. Teach us to first rest in you, not our agendas or expectations. When plans fail or overwhelm us, secure our hearts in Christ and your love. We choose to remain in your love.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON
1. What are some of your big plans for the summer? How have you placed your expectations on them?
2. What is a time a plan failed, and you became frustrated or disappointed?
3. What are the ways you can prioritize keeping your heart secure in God’s love?
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Mike Powell
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