Sleep In Peace

She turned him down and he was upset. No, he was more than upset; he was beside himself. He was in disbelief; he didn’t understand. He thought she was the one. A roller coaster of emotions followed. Quiet sorrow, confusing frustration, anxiety, bitterness, anger.

“It will be alright, son. Give it time,” his dad consoled him offering comforting words.

His dad was calm...and correct.

Do you know how the dad was able to console his son? Do you know why the dad was not caught up in waves of emotional distress?

If you have ever experienced a childhood romance, sometimes called puppy love, then you know. The immature affection felt in a childhood relationship is just that, affection; not genuine love. It is a fondness felt between two young people and it is rooted in emotion and dependent upon favorable circumstances.

If you have ever had to console one of your own children in similar circumstances, you may empathize with them, but you have knowledge that goes beyond their confusing emotions. You have understanding that is grounded in experience and reality.

The young person is filled with anxiety because he has limited experience in life. He has not been through 'this' kind of trial and is filled with uncertainty and fear of the unknown.

The young man in the illustration might be able to listen and trust his dad. Yet, there is also an element of desire that complicates matters. His dad might assure him that there will be another young lady for him in the future. Yet, even if he accepts it, he does not want to accept it. He wants things to turn out the way he wants. This may or may not be a sign of selfishness, but it is certainly a sign of immaturity.

We might be amused with this illustration, and yet it is descriptive of so many people’s lives. Life is good and then the circumstances change.

• There might be a falling out with a friend.
• Personal health issues arise.
• A close friend or family member passes away.
• Things change for the worse at work.
• A storm causes damage, and financial stress.

Why are so many Christians filled with anxiety? Why do we lash out in anger toward family members when frustrated? Why do we feel bitterness and confusion? Why do we wring our hands with anxiety over life’s uncertainties?

Absolute truth: Life is filled with uncertainties. There will be happy circumstances and sad circumstances and a whole lot of circumstances that are neither happy or sad. That’s Life!

King David was in the worst of circumstances. His son, Absalom, desired the throne and mounted an attack. David had to flee Jerusalem. Friends turned against him. His son’s armies pursued him. Yet David wrote:

I lay down and slept;

I awoke, for the Lord sustains me.

—Psalm 3:5

How did he overcome anxiety?

His heavenly Father could see what he could not. David possessed promises that would not fail because it was God who had promised. He trusted in God who sustained him.

We are not promised a problem-free life. Yet, we know some things about the future. God has revealed; God has promised. Even though we cannot see tomorrow, the assurances of God give us confidence in living life today...and in sleeping in peace tonight.

Mark Stinnett

April 9, 2023