“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you” (Isaiah 26:3).
My bed was shaking. I popped open my eyes and looked at a small book shelf sitting above my head. It jostled back and forth, so I quickly sat up. My heart was pounding. This was my first experience being in an earthquake. It only lasted a few seconds.
I was visiting a friend in southern California. Kris quickly asked if I was okay. “I’m fine,” I hollered through the door. After my emotions settled down, I was actually modestly excited to be able to tell others I had survived an earthquake. That was my first and only experience feeling the earth move beneath me. It happened 25 years ago.
In truth, I’ve been through many earthquakes. There have been a few traumatic experiences and emotional volcanoes that shook me up inside. These events didn’t quiver the ground under my shoes, but left me with an unsteady feeling in my heart. Some came from what I perceived as unfair criticism, others from broken relationships.
Emotional Earthquakes
I recently meditated on Isaiah 26:3 and was drawn to the experience of perfect peace. Who wants to live in turmoil? Who likes standing on emotional earthquakes? I prayed, “Lord, let me experience Your perfect peace.” Then I read the rest of the passage. It explained how this peace comes to those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in God.
The dictionary defines steadfast as: “firmly fixed in place, not subject to change.”1 I thought to myself, “It would sure be nice to be steadfast in my heart. But that’s my problem. I struggle with fears and worries that shake me up.” But then I noticed that a peaceful mind comes, not from trusting in myself, but from trusting in God. It is the Lord who is steadfast, constant, and devoted.
Then another promise was brought to my attention: “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,’ says the Lord, who has compassion on you” (Isaiah 54:10).
I pray for God’s protection over those who experience physical earthquakes, but I’m also grateful for the security I may have in knowing we have a God whose love for us is unmovable.
