“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

A very good friend in the faith sent me a daily devotional based on this verse as follows:

Learn to live above your circumstances. This requires focused time with me, the “One who overcame the world.” Trouble and distress are woven into the very fabric and distress of this perishing world. Only my life in you can empower you to face this endless flow of problems with good cheer.

As you sit quietly in my Presence, I shine peace into your troubled mind and heart. Little by little, you are freed from earthly shackles and lifted up above your circumstances. You gain my perspective on my life, enabling you to distinguish what is important and what is not. Rest in My Presence, receiving a joy that no one can take away from you.

I very recently joined the Muscular Dystrophy Association. I dialed the number and heard a sweet voice on the other end.

“How can I help you?” she said.

“I’m sure you can but I really don’t know how,” I said. “I was only diagnosed last week and my doctor told me to join but I really don’t even know what I’m supposed to ask for.” I rambled on. “Therapy!” I exclaimed. “I’m supposed to ask for therapy. Then I laughed because, well, sometimes what else can you do? Then I added, “Can you tell I need a lot of help?”

The very kind, extremely helpful MDA person on the phone then began to tell me all about the services they provide. I listened. I asked a few questions. But then I started hearing something like, “loan closet with gently used wheelchairs, should the need arise for you” and that’s when I was certain she wasn’t talking to me anymore. Was this a conference call for crying out loud? Oh I’ll just hold on and wait until she’s done talking to the poor woman, who might sometime need to borrow a gently used wheelchair.

When this happens as it has a few times now since the words “muscular dystrophy” first crossed my neurologist’s lips, my heart sits bolt upright again and comes out of the surreal floating fog somewhere between my mind and my soul and I realize – oh yes that is me, she is talking to me, it is me, it is me. But there is no panic. No despair. There is stillness and there is peace because Jesus brought me to this place and “He who began a GOOD work in me is faithful to complete it.” (Philippians 1:6)

May God lead you to a peaceful place even in the storms of life. “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.” Isaiah 43:2a. Jesus Christ be glorified.