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There are moments in our lives where time freezes around us. The next step is uncertain, the outcome unknown. We find ourselves reaching for something, anything that will lend us stable footing. Holding onto Scripture in such times is certainly the correct answer. Finding the faith and strength to do so can be the greatest challenge. But being anchored in peace will be the result. Here’s my story:
Pacing the halls, I waited for my 12-year-old daughter to finish the x-rays that would tell us if her head injury and memory loss would be permanent. Unbeknownst to us she was the driver of an ATV that flipped her and her best friend. Now, hours later, she repeated the same phrases over and over, her young face blank and confused. I couldn’t get that look in the nurse’s wide eyes out of my head – much less, her trembling hands as she prepared the X-ray machine and listened to my daughter babble the same sentences repeatedly.
The nurse was concerned. I was near panic. I walked the halls outside of her room—back and forth, back and forth, like I could outrun the fear in my chest. No one wants to see the one they love disoriented, confused, and completely out of touch. Suddenly, mid stride, my legs felt like they might buckle underneath me, so I found a chair, sat down, and closed my eyes. All I could mutter was,
“God, help.”
I took a shallow breath and tried to say more but still, all that came was,
“God, HELP!”
In a moment, Scripture from a well-worn page in my Bible came to mind.
“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”—Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV).
Start with Gratitude
“Okay God, instead of having this anxiety, You say come to You with thanksgiving and then make my requests known.” I then began a prayer of gratitude: “Thank you, God, for every moment this precious daughter has been in my life. From the moment I carried her to her first sparkly smile. Thank you for her wit and abundance of creativity. Thank you for the wisdom you have given her at such a young age. I am so grateful for those big brown eyes and that slightly raspy voice. Thank you that I get to be her mom. Thank you for every moment.”
Make Your Requests Known
Before I finished my prayer of gratitude my breath became steady. Strength returned to my legs. My mind began to clear, and so I made my requests known. “God, I am asking You for her life, fully intact, exactly as You have designed her. I ask that every good thing You have for her would be fulfilled, nothing lost. We are Your children, and this is my request.”
Listen to a portion of this guided meditation from Abide about asking big of God based on John 15:7.
Peace Beyond What We Can Understand
Feeling the boldness and clarity growing inside me, I stood, took a deep breath and walked to the door waiting, for the doctors to finish. What was this lightness, this confidence I felt? Moments before I could hardly stand, I couldn’t think clearly. I could barely utter the two words, “God, help.” And now, this peace, this strength that made no sense enveloped me. I still did not know if everything would be okay. This was supernatural peace. Then I remembered …”And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
It was another difficult couple of days, but my daughter recovered fully. The trembling nurse was even amazed at her progress. I continued to be anchored in peace myself from Philippians 2:6-7. Speaking my gratitude, making my requests known, and allowing the peace that was beyond my understanding to guard my heart and mind.
Not every story ends like this one. We do not always get the miracle we prayed for. I have not always gotten the miracle I prayed for. It can often feel like uncertainty is the only certainty we have. Friend, I’m here to remind you that God knows the trials you face and has given you His word to anchor you when you need it the most.
Take Him at His Word. Find the Scriptures that feed your soul. Recite them, write them, create art with them, even sing them. His Word will hold you up when you think your legs might buckle. It will give you that right next step when you are unsure, and God’s Word will bring you the stability you need when your world feels amiss.
For more help to stress less and sleep better, check out the Abide app, where our 400+ Bible-based sleep stories all exist to help you be anchored in peace and get better rest. Use this link for 25% off a premium subscription, giving you access to all our sleep stories plus much more. Abide will keep you anchored in peace through God’s Word.
Anna resides in Nashville, Tenn., with her four daughters and two she-cats. She is a freelance writer and graphic designer, as well as a Literature and Writing teacher for middle and high-school students.
