God understands.

I heard a story about a king who had a bad dream that left his heart troubled. He decided to call for his painter, thinking that a painting might calm his heart. The painter came forth, saying, “O king, live forever. What shall I do for thee?”

The king said, “I want you to go away and paint me a picture of peace.”

So the painter left and returned with a painting. He said, “O king, live forever. Here is a picture of peace.” It was a beautiful sunset over an amazing blue ocean, with seagulls flying. The king looked at the picture and said, “This is not a picture of peace.” So he sent the painter back to paint another picture of peace.

The painter tried again. He returned and said, “O king, live forever. Here is a picture of peace.” This time it was a beautiful, eye-catching waterfall flowing down into the water below, sparkling like crystal diamonds in the radiant sunlight under a bright blue sky. By this time, the king became angry and said, “This is not a picture of peace.”

In anger, the king said, “If you do not paint me a picture of peace, I will have you beheaded.” The painter went away upset. He thought and thought, and then began to paint again.

He later returned to the king, addressed him respectfully, and handed him the picture. The king looked at it for a long time and then said, “Now this is a picture of peace.”

What the painter had painted was a storm: the wind was blowing, the clouds were dark, and lightning was flashing while trees swayed violently. But at the top of a tree, a baby bird was peacefully asleep in its nest.

That is peace—peace in God when everything around you is going wrong.

Isaiah 26:3 says, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”

A storm can rage all around you, but God’s perfect peace can place you in a calm state within it.

Colossians 3:15 says, “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts.”

Let God’s peace carry you through the storms of life.

Remember, God understands ❤️

Praying with you,
Pastor Doris Roberts
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