In anticipation of my forthcoming January interview on “Coffee and Connect with Lundstrom Ministries,” I have crafted an acrostic centered around the essence of PEACE— Prayer, Eternity, Assurance, Contentment, and Endurance. These elements stand as steadfast anchors, embodying God’s purpose, as affirmed by the timeless wisdom of Romans 8:28, assuring that all things work together for my ultimate good. Within the acronym, each letter unfolds as a symbolic anchor, with the initial letter—P representing the profound significance of prayer.
P – Prayer
Too frequently, my mental landscape becomes consumed by worry, weaving intricate patterns of unlikely scenarios and fixating on the worst-case possibilities. In these moments, I unwittingly overlook God’s inherently good purpose for every facet of my existence. It’s a paradox, as someone astutely expressed, “Peace is not found in the absence of problems but in the presence of God.” Allow me to illustrate this paradox with a personal experience.
Early in my ministry years, what seemed like an endless period of about three months was marked by a heaviness and dark cloud descending on me each night as I lay down to sleep with terrifying dreams depicting my family enduring torture for our faith. Desperate to break free, I kept reading the scriptures, praying, and seeking to understand.
Weeks passed, and the weight showed no signs of lifting. I grappled with the purpose behind this unsettling experience—was it a preparation for some future trial, a revelation of sin within me, or simply a test of my faith? Then, on a Saturday night, during my usual prayer for the Sunday worship services, I heard the unmistakable voice of God and hastily transcribed His words. Immense relief swept over me. My focus was immediately drawn to the scriptures, where the words leaped out at me in bold print, conveying God’s loving care for me, both now and in the future. At that moment, God’s peace enveloped me, dispelling the confusion that had clouded my understanding. I knew, without a doubt, that God had met me in that time of prayer.
That night, the ominous cloud still lingered as I settled into bed. However, armed with the passages of scripture that God gave me, I audibly recited them back to Him. Through hearing the scripture with my own ears, my focus fastened on God’s promises. “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God” (Romans 10:17).
Each passing day grew progressively brighter. The dark heaviness and horrifying dreams no longer gripped me. In their place, peace took root. The promises in Isaiah 54, which had been given to me during the trying period, unfolded: “This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me, declares the Lord” (Isaiah 54:17b).
Plodding through the rough places when we didn’t think we could take anymore has taught me the truth: God is peace, and it begins with prayer. The comfort of Philippians 4:6-7 tells me I can bring all my concerns to my loving Lord, and as I do, my anxiety will allow peace to “guard my heart and mind through Christ Jesus.”
Another companion verse from Isaiah 26:13 reaffirms, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You.”
Set your heart and mind on things above
Colossians 3:1-2
E – Eternity in view: Perspective Shifts Everything
We reside in the state of Arizona, with the presence of beautiful, majestic mountain ranges. A mere twelve miles from our home stand the Santa Rita’s. As we make the drive towards them, a remarkable phenomenon unfolds. The closer we come, the more their grandeur expands, looming larger and more awe-inspiring.
In a parallel way, redirecting our earthly focus towards the eternal echoes this experience. Through prayer and the word of God, the proximity to Jesus is magnified. The closer we come to Him, the more expansive and profound He becomes— a towering presence far greater than our earthly troubles. It’s a perspective shift where the enormity of God dwarfs the scale of our problems.
In Colossians 3:1 and 2, Paul reminds us our hearts and minds can be filled with eternity’s focus. “Set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” And verse 15 continues, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts since, as members of one body, you were called to peace. And be thankful.”
Shifting our focus toward heaven, like David when facing Goliath, employs assurance in God’s promises of care. I wonder if Peter might have walked safely to shore with Jesus that stormy night had he maintained his focus on Him, steering clear of the turbulent distractions surrounding him.
A – Assurance in God’s Word: A Rock-Solid Foundation
Thankfully, we have an anchor of assurance in God’s Word. We can hold firmly to it as Psalm 119:105 declares: His Word is a lamp for our feet, illuminating the path ahead.
While living in Minnesota, we faced a battle instigated by the county government, which aimed to jeopardize our well-being by imposing substantial property taxes, putting our retirement funds in peril.
The focal point of contention was the land itself, specifically what lay beneath it—- a previously undisclosed dump site, absent from our property deed. The four-year struggle pushed us to our limits. Our mainstay verse, tailor-made for our situation, came from Psalm 24:1, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” Through the miraculous workings of God, our house was spared, and the legislature shifted the burden from us to the responsible party, the state, allowing us to emerge from a trial that once seemed insurmountable.
God is faithful. His Word is true. We have the assurance we are on a rock-solid foundation, and “when the storm passes, the righteous stand firm forever” (Proverbs 10:25).
C- Contentment: Embracing the Now
In a world constantly urging us to strive for more, contentment can seem unmanageable. Yet, there’s profound peace in embracing the now and acknowledging God’s blessings around us. Philippians 4:11-12 nudges us to be content in all circumstances, whether in want or plenty.
Though not easy, recognizing what we have been given through the shed blood of Jesus and the blessings that come from being Him will carry us through any situation and into eternity.
Prayer, with eyes on Jesus, and standing on God’s promises will bring us contentment as we trust in God. Contentment comes through being thankful. Our family, friends, home, food, spiritual blessings, and much more than we deserve are gifts from the One who gave us life and breath, “who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment (1 Timothy 6:17).
We can weather life’s storms by growing these anchors of Prayer, Eternity, Assurance, Contentment, and Endurance.
E – Endurance: Weathering Life’s Storms
David’s life stands as a profound testament to endurance. Personal setbacks seemed insurmountable as he grappled with years of evading murderous King Saul. Despite being anointed as the future King of Israel, David, in a pivotal moment, returned from his time with the Philistine King Achish to find Ziglag in ruins and his loved ones taken captive. Overwhelmed, David and his men wept until they had no strength left to weep.
David had already spent years enduring a relentless pursuit by Saul, compelling him to live in exile. Seeking refuge in the Philistine territory proved futile, as he faced rejection from the commanders of their king. David’s challenges escalated as the families were taken captive and the city lay in ruins. After years of navigating the hardships of seeking sanctuary, he faced the disheartening reality that even his trusted men wanted to kill him.
What did David do? He had the anchors of peace through the struggles, and David “found strength in the Lord his God” (2 Samuel 30:6).
He led his men to recover all that was lost in that divine strength, realizing the Lord had granted them victory. Instead of succumbing to despair, David restored their families and everything that had been taken. David shared the spoils of victory with friends and elders in Judah, spreading God’s bounty.
David’s resilience, fortified by prayer and an eternal perspective, gave him the assurance and confidence to endure the trial as described by Proverbs 14:30, “A heart of peace gives life to the body.”
The next time a storm comes, we have all we need to survive and come through victoriously.
I’m so thankful God meets every need, including a peace that passes understanding. Prayer and an eternal perspective with assurance in God’s Word produce God’s “peace which transcends all understanding” (Philippians 4:7). This assurance cultivates the confidence to bolster endurance, helping us weather any storm that life may present.
