Settled in Christ

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! (Isaiah 26:3, NLT).

I recently watched a Kentucky basketball game where our guys, especially at the beginning of the game, just looked totally out of sync. It was a road game in a hostile environment, and the opposing team was putting a lot of pressure on us. Quite frankly, our guys didn’t handle the pressure well at all. I pulled out my phone and typed out a short tweet (because we all know those of us sitting on our couches at home have all the right answers) to share with others on Twitter that went like this: Definitely looking a little unsettled in the early minutes, but I’m confident we’ll loosen up a little! Loving the packed house. #BBN.

I meant every word of the message I shared. It was not a “typical performance” for several of our guys. It was evident that our players were unsettled and rattled by the external environment, thus affecting their play. Partially due to pressure from the defense and partially due to poor decision-making on our part, we made lots of mistakes throughout the game. Fortunately, and most importantly, our guys never gave up the fight.

As followers of Jesus, that’s what we’re called to do, too. Think of a time when you may have found yourself feeling unsettled: waiting for results of a medical test, dealing with never-ending home repairs, witnessing someone you love deal with the outcome of their own poor decisions, leaning into a dream but feeling like the Lord hasn’t given you enough direction. I recently experienced this over the summer while dealing with the stress of house damage, insurance calls, expensive repairs, and lots of waiting.

There are many things in this life that attempt to rattle our peace. It reminds me of one of my favorite verses from the Bible, Isaiah 26:3: You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!When external pressures, difficult circumstances outside of our control, and poor decision-making starts to creep up and attempt to steal our peace, it is then that we must remind ourselves to lean on what we know is true: ultimate peace and victory are only found in Jesus.

While watching the Kentucky basketball game, I saw our guys, despite their struggles, continue to lean into what they have been taught for years: the fundamentals of the game. Playing defense, making free throws, responding to the punch, stepping up and being supportive of their teammates, and most of all, continuing to fight.

My prayer for all of us today is that when life throws a crazy pass our way, and you begin feeling unsettled, turn to fundamentals, the Word of God. If we can lean into the truth contained on those pages, we will find ourselves at peace when our thoughts are fixed on Him.

If you’re new to the training, don’t fret. Start small. Google popular scripture verses. Buy a Bible and be curious. Talk to friends who have life experience and know Jesus. Keep reading, seeking, and leaning into finding truth. Most of all, keep fighting, and you will eventually find yourself settled in Christ.

I’m also happy to report that we did, in fact, win the game!!

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