Moments With Christ ~ Philippians 4
I once found myself in a car driven by a very angry drunk who only got crazier when I asked to be let out. I was terrified. I clung to the dashboard and knew I was going to die.
It was raining. The roads were slick and the car careened around hairpin mountain curves in the dark. I was certain we were going over the edge and I had never been so afraid in my life.
Death itself doesn’t frighten me. It is the possibility of pain that I fear. As I clung to the dash imagining myself broken and bloody at the bottom of the next ravine, a voice whispered Philippians 4 in my ear: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” And suddenly I was at peace.
All fear left me. I let go of the dashboard. I sat back in my seat. I was totally at peace with whatever was to come. God was in charge.
Amazingly, the same thing happened to the angry drunk. He quit cussing and raging. The car slowed. After a couple of more miles he pulled into a turn out at the edge of the highway and cut the engine. He said, “All of a sudden I am way too tired to drive. I think I am going to get in the backseat and go to sleep — and he did.
As I drove the car the last 20 miles to our destination, I thought of Jesus walking on water and calming the raging storm. That’s what he had done for me. For me. I was humbled. I was amazed. I was — still am — full of awe.
God took a personal interest in me. Me. Every time I remember the incident, Psalm 8 comes to mind and I can’t help but wonder — who am I that God is mindful of me?
The truth is, no one of us is more special than the other. God promises this same peace and comfort to all who believe.
7 Comments
Amen. I remember during an illness having trouble with anxiety and thinking, it’s one thing not to be anxious over things that might or might not happen, but another when bad news is a serious possibility. But all of the times the Bible says, “fear not,” there was something humanly speaking to be fearful about — yet with Christ we can face even those things with His peace.
This goes well with the devotional I’m using this year, “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young. It’s all about resting in His constant presence, not worrying, TRUSTING.
What a beautiful testimony of God giving His peace in the midst of a storm. Love it.
A lovely psalm and one that could help so many people better than a Valium.
What a wonderful piece, Quilly! I wept while reading it. Who has not walked in your shoes?
I love this, Quilly. I’m so glad you posted it. Every time I start getting anxious about not being able to control events around me, I am reminded that none of them are a surprise to God and He will get me through them in the way that He wants to bless me with. Whew!
Interestingly, I’ve come to the conclusion that our pastor is a very fearful man. He is so afraid of letting God out of that tightly constrained Presbyterian box…if it were just me, I’d be out of that fellowship in a heartbeat, but the men in my family are SO being fed there — praying about this one!
Thanks for sharing this insight with us Quilly. How great is it to recognize that God is with us in everything we do. And how awesome of you to praise Him for his everlasting love. Thanks be to God!
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