Peace in Troubled Times

Being a Christian can be a very difficult challenge. Times when you just feel like you have to find an answer in the Bible and times when you know what to do but you are still struggling to follow through come to mind, but the answer is still the same. There is no alternative path for the believer. Like the old song says, "Where Could I Go But to the Lord?" Yesterday was a day when I experienced extreme heartache. However, I don't suppose my personal trial can possibly be as challenging as the one faced by the people of Kerrville, Texas, right now. In fact, my personal trial pales in comparison to that. The verse that just stood out to me in my search for "brokenhearted" Bible verses, one that seems to perfectly fit both these trials, is this one: "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" John 14:27). Obviously, there is no way the children who lost parents, friends and counselors in that terrible flooding disaster and the parents who lost children are going to be able to deal with all this loss without a troubled heart, but if they have this word in them, they will know that peace is there. Every day we hear more about the horrific flooding on July 4, 2025, in Kerrville, Texas, both stories of rescues and stories of fatalities. I don't have the numbers right now, but they are overwhelming. Many different thoughts and emotions begin to swirl in my world when I hear the stories and see the faces, and I know that these people's lives will never be the same. I believe that many of these folks have a living faith in Jesus Christ, and I know that will be a comfort for many. I also know that I can't tell anyone anything that will help if they are unwilling to believe. I am blessed to have become a believer almost 46 years ago, and have been through many things that have proven to me over and over again that God, the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit are real in the life of anyone who has been born again. The peace of God is all that sustains me throughout any trial I may be experiencing. I have not lost children, but I know people who have, and I am sure there is nothing so difficult for a parent than to lose a child in the prime of their life. I cannot even imagine the depth of the anguish and the pain, but for a Christian there is the hope of eternal life, which, again, is no comfort to anyone who refuses to believe. But if you have believed in and trusted in Jesus Christ, you will likely, again and again, have experienced the peace that passes understanding. "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7). All I know is that whether it's an individual trial, when I see others suffering in this life, or when I see our whole country or world experiencing great trials reminiscent of the labor pains spoken of in the book of Revelation (12:2), I know that Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace, and there is no other path to salvation and no other comfort for the brokenhearted. My prayer is that everyone going through this indescribable loss will be comforted by God and not instead become bitter and unbelieving. I can't help but believe that the outcome of that would be much more devastating still.