We live in turbulent times. Every time we watch the news on TV or read the newspapers, we are bombarded with bad news. Bad news about crime and violence. Bad news about the political situation. Bad news about the economy, health, education and so many other things. Yes, there is the occasional good news, but you really have to search for it. It seems like bad news sells more newspapers and ad spaces, and as such we are fed a constant stream of it that robs us of our inner peace. 

So, what can we do? The Bible tells us the answer: You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you because he trusts in you.  (Isaiah 26:3) Here we are not only offered peace, but perfect peace. This peace offering comes with just two conditions: 1. Our mind must be fixed, focussed and settled on God; and 2. We have to trust God.

So the answer all begins in the mind. We must fix our thoughts on God. Philippians 4:8 says:  Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The world would have us think about all of the problems. God would have us think about him, the one who is the solution to all of the problems. The world would have us worry about all the cares of life. God would have us think about all the beauty of his creation, and our gratitude for all that we have.

When our mind is focussed on all the positives, we have to trust. Not a blind faith, but a deep inner conviction that God is in control. He is working out his plan globally, nationally and individually. We are in the palm of his hand. Nothing can happen to us that he doesn’t allow if we trust completely in him. Even in our most painful moments, he is there with us.

Jesus said in John 14: Let not your hearts be troubled…My peace I give to you. He is the Prince of Peace, but we have to claim and appropriate his gift. Then we can proclaim with confidence: ‘You will keep me in perfect peace, because my mind is stayed on You and I trust You.’