Keene Valley and the High Peaks region
from the overlook on Rooster Comb Mt
high peaks, Adirondacks

Peace. That sometimes oh so elusive feeling.  How can I have lasting peace in a world of chaos, confusion, chores, and character flaws? 

I’ll be hiking on a mountain trail and my thoughts often turn to the chaos in the nation….my state…my town..my neighborhood…my family…my self. And I think “God, You are Peace yet how do I attain this Truth when I feel anything but?”  Usually the answer comes when I’m alone with my God.  How gently He whispers to me when I am still. He speaks Truth.  One of those truths comes from Isaiah 26:3. This Scripture has been a foundational point for my adult life. I like the New King James Version best: “You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”

This Scripture has often come to my mind when I’m alone with the Lord. It can be on my deck with my morning coffee and the Word; it can be in the car running errands; it can be on a mountain summit overlooking a lush valley.  No matter where I am, when I think on this verse from Isaiah,  the Lord reminds me that it is when we are focused on Him….when I am still before Him like it says in Psalms 46:10 (“Be still and know that I am God”) and when I’m trusting Him with my life, then His Peace will come. Jesus is my Peace!

There can be chaos all around me yet when I’m standing on the promises of Christ and placing my trust in my God, He will give me Peace. This has happened during so many different times of my life. It takes trust.  Trusting in the God who knows every plan He has for me. Who knows every path I need to take…some through the valleys and some on the mountain tops.  No matter where I am, He is Peace.

All I need to do is stay focused on Him.