If you grew up in Sunday School, then you probably remember singing, “I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy, down in my heart! Where?....� This beloved tune was sung every week at the request of the children; probably because we enjoyed jumping off our seats when, in the second verse, “.... the devil .... could sit on a tack, Ow!….�! As a teenager I was introduced to another verse of the song: “I have a peace that passeth all understanding way down in the depths of my heart….�! I remember the youth pastor liked to sing it as fast as he could, in tongue-twister fashion, as we all laughed and struggled to sing along. (Go ahead, sing it!) But it wasn’t until I was an adult that I really knew what that verse was saying.

My husband and I had been serving in a church in California for a few years when our Pastor asked us if we’d be willing to start a ministry in Mexico. We were thrilled for the change and challenge, but this meant that not only us, but our children, had to leave everything and everyone behind. I remember feeling torn, feeling that my children would suffer with the change once we found ourselves alone in a new country. So, after taking it to the Lord in prayer, I asked my children how they felt about leaving “home�, to which they replied, “It’s exciting, Mom, we’re ready!� Those simple words filled me with a peace that surpassed my understanding, and in that moment the Lord used my children to let me know that He was with us, and everything was going to be OK! Immediately the song came to my mind, “I have a peace that passeth all understanding way down in the depths of my heart….�!

Years later, when the time in that ministry had come to an end, instead of returning to the states, the Lord led us to another ministry in Mexico. My husband had begun to feel “stuckâ€� in Mexico which made me feel anxious for our future. The Lord used my children again to remind me that He was in control. Watching them grow and thrive in the ministry â€" while in Mexico â€" once again filled me with a peace beyond anything I could imagine! When the Lord finally opened the doors for us to return to California, we were again torn to leave “everythingâ€� behind, but God in His goodness had prepared our hearts and in His perfect time, filled us with a peace that passeth all understanding.

Someone once said, “No God, No Peace! Know God, Know Peace!�

Suggested Prayer: Dear Holy Father, I know that your plans for me are perfect and yet I am always surprised by you. Help me to remember that you have everything under control. Thank you for allowing us to have peace in you. In Jesus’ name, Amen

1.    Philippians 4:7 (KJV).

Today’s Encounter was written by: Veronica B.