Whether....or not.

I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart.

 And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give.

 So don’t be troubled or afraid.

John 14:27 (NLT)

In Al-Anon we have a phrase that we read every week, "it is possible for us to find contentment, and even happiness, whether the alcoholic is still drinking or not."

The crux of this statement is the fact that our happiness is not dependent upon anyone else.  Our serenity, peace and joy are independent of what other people say or don't say, do or don't do.  Our joy and peace are gifts from God and we can maintain them as we keep our focus on him and refuse to let the negative words or behavior of others penetrate our shield. 

This is a hard lesson to learn. Amy Carmichael* writes of a time, while riding on a train in India, "when a silly feather-flutter of local gossip..., tried to disturb me.  And it did disturb till these six words were repeated over and over, beaten out, as it were, in my ear by the sound of the wheels of the train: 'Let it be; think of Me.'" This thought came to her mind later when, suffering from illness, she was confronted with unthoughtful, disturbing words.  After reacting negatively at first, she remembered those six little words and her peace returned and so she encourages others, "not to weigh flying words or let their peace be in the mouths of men."

The unthoughtful, cruel words of others may sting, but are of no consequence if we turn to God alone who is the source and resource of all our joy and peace.  

Thank you, Lord, for your promise of joy and peace.  There is so much in this world that trys to disturb us and rob us of this peace.  Lord, help us to be constant in our focus on you and allow the peace of your presence to surround us at all times.  Amen, Lord, let it be.

Now is your time of grief,

 but I will see you again and you will rejoice,

 and no one will take away your joy.

John 16:22 (NIV)

*Amy Carmichael was a British missionary to India who writes of her joy in the midst of suffering.  This quote is from her book A Rose from Brier pg. 19, 20.