“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  (New Living Translation)

The Lord helped me to cancel my daily worry subscription. Like the morning newspaper, it would come with a delivery of a new set of things for me to be concerned about. Scenarios of calamity in various areas of my life – work, finances, health and family would unfold in my mind. Concern would grow into worry and that would escalate to fear. Sometimes the delivery would come in the middle of the night, robbing me of both rest and a peaceful mind. When I realized that none of these story lines were based on truth or God’s word, I asked God for help. I was reminded that even though Jesus came that we may have an abundant life, the enemy comes to kill and destroy our lives with lies about who we are and our situations.

This portion of God’s Word focuses on the gift of peace for our minds and our hearts – “So don’t be troubled or afraid”.  What a precious gift, that can only come from God.  We are so blessed to be able to accept this gift and to reject the worry that may be so evasive in our lives. So even when the enemy is tempted to bring a new supply of worry to my door, I can remind him that my subscription is canceled.