The Peace that Holds

Well now, Buttercup, you jes’ git yourself right on up here on this here front porch right now, and be ‘a-tryin’ not to pay no mind to that there ol’ squirrel ‘a-sittin’ on the railin’ like he is ‘a-judgin’ my life choices. He has been ‘a-starin’ at me harder than a goat ‘a-tryin’ to understand algebra. Sit yourself down right over here for a spell, ‘cause I got somethin’ on my heart ‘a-wigglin’ around louder than a catfish ‘a-floppin’ in a washtub. It’s that there real mean ol’ monster called anxiety.

We all get it. Some days our minds are ‘a-runnin’ faster than a chicken ‘a-tryin’ to outrun ‘a-bein’ Sunday dinner. Worries about tomorrow, fears about today, and a to-do list longer than a giraffe’s neck. But 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” That there means every jitter, every fear, every “what if” that keeps you ‘a-tossin’ like a raccoon in a trash can at midnight.

Sometimes anxiety is ‘a-wantin’ to make us feel like we’re ‘a-sinkin’ in a big storm. But Mark 4:39 reminds us that Jesus done stood up in the middle of a hurricane and told the wind, “Quiet. Be still.” And that storm obeyed quicker than a hound dog ‘a-hearin’ a biscuit hit the floor. If Jesus can hush a whole sea, He sho’nuff’ can hush the storm ‘a-ragin’ in your chest.

Maybe you’re ‘a-readin’ this here message right now with your heart ‘a-thumpin’ like a rabbit ‘a-hidin’ from a hawk. You’re done  feelin’ alone, overwhelmed, or like you’re jes’ one more worry away from ‘a-meltin’ into a puddle. But be ‘a-hearin’ me right now, Butterbean. You ain’t alone. Not for one breath. The Holy Spirit is ‘a-standin’ guard over your mind like the world’s most determined goose ‘a-protectin’ her nest.

Anxiety is a real mean liar. It tells you tomorrow is gonna be real scary, you’re real helpless, and everything is way out of control. But God done says that He’s ‘a-holdin’ tomorrow, He’s ‘a-holdin’ you, and He ain’t never droppin’ either one. When we pray an’ give our worry over to Him, we’re ‘a-handin’ Him the whole tangled mess, and He done hands us peace that makes no kind o’ earthly sense.

Lord Jesus, when my thoughts start ‘a-runnin’ wild, be ‘a-helpin’ me to be ‘a-castin’ every doggone worry onto You. Calm my storms like You done calmed the sea. Fill me with Your peace, be ‘a-guardin’ my mind, and remindin’ me that You are ‘a-carryin’ what I cannot. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Well, mercy me, Junebug, that oughta’ be ‘a-settlin’ your soul like sweet tea on a hot day. Now go on out there and be ‘a-restin’ in Jesus, knowin’ He’s able to be ‘a-hushin’ every big ol’ storm before it even starts to thinkin’ about thunderin’, so be ‘a-givin’ it to Him ‘cause, after all, He’s the one in control any way! Ain’t that what the Bible done told us in Psalm 46:10, which says, “Be still, and know that I am God.”

With joy,

Gwen