Being At Peace

How can you sleep when you're alone in your house? This was a question one of my older sisters asked me as she came to sleep over one night. She was left alone for a week at her house, and she could not sleep. She would look out the window every time she would hear a small noise, fearing that there is something or someone out there. She would do that all night long, only going to sleep around four or five in the morning. Then she would be able to sleep.


A few weeks ago the world was shocked by the news of the deaths by apparent suicide by not just one, but two, very public figures. And yes, I am talking about the late Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain. Both were very successful in their fields of work. Both were very famous, making their mark in their respective fields, and they were respected by people all over the world.

Articles I read after their deaths spoke of their achievements, and yes, their lives and their success, were to be envied. It is a life ordinary people like us can only dream of having. Unfortunately, the fame and the success they enjoyed were not enough to give them peace. Apparently they faced inner struggles, mental battles, and when they could no longer overcome it, they chose to end their lives tragically.

Why? Why do people struggle? Why do people suffer from depression? How come they could not overcome? Why is it that other people get help and others don't? All we can do is ask questions. And we will never know the hardships they had to go through, the demons they had to fight, and why they decided to give it all up at that time.

I do not have all the answers, I do not claim to know everything. But when my sister asked me that question, this is what I told her. Every time I go to sleep, I commit my life to God. I thank Him that He watches over me each time. I thank Him that I am safe in His arms, and that no matter what happens, I am secure in the thought that he watches over me all the time. That's why I am not afraid. That's why I can go to sleep in peace.

I believe that is the same for all aspects of life, and not just when I go to sleep. I don't know what happens as the day progresses, but God does. I do not have all the answers to life's questions, but He does. And since I have asked Him to be Lord of my life, I can rest in the knowledge that I am safe no matter what. I may die today, or something else may happen to me, but I need never be afraid, because my life is already anchored in Jesus. 

Why do I have such confidence? Why I am so sure that I am secure in His love? Why do I have such faith in Him? Because of His great faithfulness. I have experienced, time and time again, His protection, His love, His provision, guidance, blessings. Everything I need, whenever I ask, He gives. And if He has done it in the past, I believe He will do it again. Therefore I am confident about His love and His mercy. I can definitely shout it on the rooftops, my God is good. He is faithful. He is true, and whatever He has promised, He always brings it to pass.

I will share a story that happened a few years back. I was working in Hong Kong at the time, and as I was praying before bedtime, I felt an urgency to pray specifically for the safety of my younger sister. I always pray for each member of my family, but this time it was specific. So I prayed for her as I had the urging. The next day, my sister shared that she was in a bus going to work, when a group of men boarded and declared it was a robbery. They had guns and knives, and they went around the bus demanding passengers to put their wallets and valuables in their sack.

My sister was seated by the window and she was scared to death of course! She had in her bag her wallet full of money, and also her company issued laptop. But she could not fully explain what happened. She was one of two passengers in the seat, and at one time one of the robbers sat in the same seat. But do you know what happened? It was as if my sister was invisible to them! I kid you not! They did not bother her! So she was safe! She arrived at the office visibly shaken, but boy, she had a testimony to tell!

The next Sunday I also shared that story in my church, because I just wanted to give glory to God for the protection she gave my sister. And I praised Him because He quickened me to pray specifically for my her. I have other stories, but I think this will do in the meantime.

So, if anyone asks me, why do I trust in God? Again I say, because I have experienced it first hand. So dear friends, if you are going through a rough time and no one seems to have the answer, let me encourage you by telling you that there is Someone who does, and His name is Jesus. You can have access to that protection, to that love and everything else, if you give and commit your life to Him. All you need to do is ask Him to do so. Believe me, He's always listening and waiting for all of us to come to him. And He transcends time and places.

I leave you with this passage in the bible as an encouragement: Psalm 91

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty
I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust."

Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler
And from the precious pestilence.
He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge;
His truth shall be your buckler.

You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day,
Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.

A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand;
But it shall not come near you.
Only with your eyes shall you look, and see the reward of the wicked.

Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you,
nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;
For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all you ways.
In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.

You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra
The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.
"Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him on high, because he has known My name.

He shall call upon me and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation."



With such great promise, we can stand confidently. Have a great weekend every one!

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