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Steadfastness and

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

If you’re in Erie, you know that if the lake is on your right, you’re facing west. If you know the night sky well enough, you can follow the handle of the Big Dipper to the North Star and know which way is north. If you keep track of where the lake is or where the North Star is, you’ll be at peace, at least as far as your directions. Without a doubt, no matter where you live, there are means by which you can at least estimate directions. We tend to have a similar ease with a range of numbers. You’re unlikely to wonder whether two plus two will equal four this time.

Similarly, there are people with whom we are at perfect peace. We may not approve of or agree with what they do, but you have no doubt that they will continue to consistently do something. It might be that your confidence is in their continuing to breath, or turning right on red without stopping, arriving early/late, or saying something offensive about something. If someone doesn’t act as we expect, we have a crisis, whether minor or major.

The same is true with God. If we settle in our minds that He is as trustworthy as the North Star or two plus two equals four, we will know perfect peace, even if things aren’t peaceful. This isn’t magical, it’s simple psychology. When your mind is made up and focused on truth, there’s peace.

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