Hope Prevails by Dr. Michelle Bengtson

Author:Dr. Michelle Bengtson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: REL012070;SEL011000;Depressed persons—Religious life;Depression;Mental—Religious aspects—Christianity
ISBN: 9781493404193
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2016-06-22T16:00:00+00:00

How to Live a Life of Peace

Depend on God

The enemy of our souls strives to kill our peace by keeping us focused on ourselves instead of depending on God, the giver of peace. We so easily set our sights on what we have to accomplish, too often forgetting that God prefers to set the course for our day. As Proverbs 16:9 declares, “We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps” (NLT). We have traded in our peace and bought into the mantra (which is based on another lie of the enemy), “If it’s going to be, it’s up to me.”

It wasn’t until I was bedridden and unable to do anything for myself that I realized the enemy had convinced me of a lie, but God’s truth says, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you” (Isa. 26:3). Rather than depending on myself to accomplish everything, I had to trust God and depend on him for everything I needed. Depending on myself means depending on my own limited strength, whereas depending on God grants me the assurance that “I can do all this through him who gives me strength” (Phil. 4:13).

Sometimes the word dependence conjures up a negative connotation. We are praised and recognized for our independence. We honor pioneers in various fields for being independent thinkers and daring to believe what others wouldn’t. In shifting our dependence from ourselves to God, however, we can experience peace knowing the responsibility for the result rests on his capable shoulders. He promised us in Matthew 5:6 that if any of us hunger and thirst for more of him, he will fill us. If we depend on him, he faithfully provides for our needs, allowing us to rest in the peace of his provision.

It took the suffering of a helpless little one for me to appreciate how much God delights in providing for his children. One day as I sat typing reports at my office desk, I heard an unusual but endearing sound. I glanced down near my feet to see our office mascot, a nine-pound Pomeranian named Maddy, whimpering softly. Most days she accompanied me to the office, sleeping in her little puppy pod while patients remain unaware of her presence. Hearing her whimper, I reflexively asked, “What?” She answered with more whimpering while she looked straight into my eyes. I studied her, then noticed the reason for her anguish. Her fur had become matted around a bur, and her nail had become lodged in the matted knot, ensnaring her paw. She couldn’t free herself and whimpered for me to come to her assistance. As I did, she quickly licked my hand, then returned to a peaceful slumber.

I’ve replayed this scene in my mind. This young creature became trapped in a predicament she was helpless to fix without assistance. She cried out in distress, and I rescued her. In return, I received a quick thanks before she returned to her plans for the day.

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