“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6–7).
Reid picked up the box of herbal tea sitting on the table. “‘One sip will whisk you away to a new world of peace,’” he read out loud. “Mom, did you know this peppermint tea was supposed to give you peace?”
Mom took a sip of her tea and smiled. “I don’t need tea to give me peace,” she said. “God is much better at doing that than any old cup of tea is.”
“Why does this box say the tea will give you peace?” Reid asked, sniffing the box. “How can a cup of brown flavored water do that?”
Mom set her cup back in the saucer. “I think many people in this world are willing to try anything to find a little peace,” she said. “Some think being with lots of fun people will help them forget their worries. Others think going out into nature and getting alone will help them find peace. People try partying, drugs, strange music, and exercises—anything to find peace. I suppose some people even think they might find it in a cup of tea.”
“But we can’t really get it from anyone but God, right?” asked Reid.
“That’s right,” said Mom. “Remember the verse in Philippians 4 that tells us not to be worried and anxious? What does it say to do instead?”
“Pray about everything,” said Reid.
“And then what happens?”
Reid thought for a minute, trying to remember the verses he’d memorized. “You get peace,” he said.
“Yes—God’s peace. Unexplainable peace. Even though your problems don’t go away, God puts His peace in your heart as a guard against worry and anxiety.”
“That sure sounds better than drinking tea,” said Reid. “It tastes terrible anyway.”
Mom laughed. “Well, that’s a matter of opinion,” she said. “But God’s Word is the absolute truth. I’d believe it over the tea box any day.”
God is the only One Who gives true peace.
My response:
» Am I taking my problems to God in prayer, or am I worried and anxious?
» Am I experiencing God’s unexplainable peace?