"To begin with, it is a toy and an amusement. Then it becomes a mistress. Then it becomes a master. Then it becomes a tyrant. And the last phase is that just as you are about to be reconciled to your servitude, you kill the monster and fling him out to the public."

Winston Churchill on writing a book

"When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you."

Isaiah 43:2

"Recovery is on the other side of panic, not this side."

Dr. Clarire Weekes

"He...comforts and strengthens us in our hardships and trials. And why does He do this? So that when others are troubled, needing our sympathy and encouragement, we can pass on to them this same help and comfort God has given us."

2 Corinthians 1:3,4

"Trust the Lord with all your heart, and don't lean on your own understanding."

Proverbs 3:5

Can you trust God? How much can you trust him? With some of your problems? All of your problems? Some of your finanaces? All of your finances? Some of your cares? All of your cares? Some of your fears? All of your fears? With some of your heart? Or, all of your heart? Can you trust God?

Living in Lasting Peace from InTouch Ministires �His name shall be called . . . The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace� (Isaiah 9:6). The original Greek word for peace means �to bind together,� offering us a fascinating insight into the only sure source of peace. Romans 5:1 states that when we are justified by faith in His Son, Jesus Christ, we have peace with God. This means we have been bound together with a totally holy God after having been separated from Him because of sin. Therefore, the key element in true, lasting peace is the presence of God in our lives. Paul states in Ephesians 2:14 that Christ is our peace, which means that His presence is the presence of peace within us. Jesus says in John 16:33, �These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace.� What is this peace? It is an inner sense of contentment and quietness regardless of life�s circumstances. It is steadfast confidence in our ever-faithful, immutable heavenly Father. It is the presence of joy in the midst of unhappiness. True peace is not merely painting our pain with a pretty color. A person who has genuine godly peace will endure an avalanche of hardship and difficulty and still abide within a peace that surpasses all human understanding. Why? Because it is not based on our circumstances, events, or what others may do to us. It is based simply on the fact that the Spirit of a holy and omnipotent God lives within us, and there is absolutely no shadow of turning in Him.

"My days have passed, my plans are shattered, and so are the desires of my heart."

Job 17:11

This is how I feel sometimes--plans shattered, dreams thwarted, hopes dashed. I can relate to Job.

"Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. The LORD executes righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed." (Psalm 103:1-6). What a great reminder for all those confused, discouraging and despairing. The Lord has good "benefits" for all those who love him and trust him. These are good benefits. They are blessed benefits. Are you ready to trust God? Can you trust God? Ask him to help you.