“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3 (ESV)
Growing up, years of dance lessons meant countless hours spent mastering the art of graceful turns. Finding the right balance proved challenging to my lanky frame, but that didn’t stop me from practicing. I loved to dance. Keeping in step with the music came naturally to me, so I could usually pull off one or two turns with ease. But when I attempted to add one more rotation, I toppled off-center. That is until I learned the importance of a strong core for keeping my balance.
For a dancer, core muscles in the center of the body give the strength needed to make sure your weight stays evenly distributed. But in my stubbornness, I thought I could find an easier way to get through those turns. I remember thinking if I could just turn faster, maybe I could make it one more time. I’d pull with my arms and fling myself around, but the harder I pulled, the quicker I’d lose my footing. I had to learn how to relax, stop pulling, and trust my core to help me.
Life these days can feel a lot like trying to master the perfect pirouette. I want to work hard, serve God, and be there for the people I love. I want to be the best wife, mom, and friend I can be. Yet try as I might to keep a good balance in daily life, I can’t seem to stay upright when so much is pulling at me. I’m always struggling to do it all well, which hinders me from continuing in a graceful flow.
The prophet Isaiah spoke this word from the Lord that we can still apply to our unbalanced lives today, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you” (Isaiah 26:3).
The phrase “stayed on” or “steadfast” comes from the Hebrew word samak, meaning “to sustain, uphold.” As God’s chosen people, we can rely on the truth of Scripture to sustain us. Even when life feels out of balance and we’re struggling to stay upright, God promises, “I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10). God is the center of everything we do, and by staying grounded in the truth of his Word, we gain strength to help us face life’s challenges with peace.
Just like the dancer depending on a strong core to keep her centered and balanced, we can depend on Almighty God. Even his name is a strong tower. “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe” (Proverbs 18:10). However, we also need to understand that maintaining those core muscles won’t happen if we ignore them. Growth takes exercise, practice, and steadfast commitment.
In the same way that we strengthen our physical bodies, we can strengthen our relationship with God through daily prayer and reading Scripture. As we choose to center our lives around God and his Word, we will be more aware of his gifts of strength and peace. We will be able to “run and not grow weary;” we will “walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).
If life has felt off-balance lately, leaving you struggling to stay centered, rest assured God can keep you in perfect peace. Let’s choose to trust in his strength today instead of our own. He is faithful to bring us back into balance.
Dear God,
Lately, life has felt off-balance. It seems as if the more I try to keep up with all the things pulling at me, the more I struggle. Forgive me for relying on my own strength instead of the strength and peace you offer. Help me recenter my life around you and your Word. When I keep you at the center, Lord, everything else in my daily life stays in balance. Thank you for the promise to uphold me when I feel like I’m going to fall. Thank you for bringing perfect peace in times of unsteadiness. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
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Related Resource: Jesus Calling - Stories of Faith
Kerry Washington, Andrea Bocelli, Reba McEntire, Mark Wahlberg, Tony Dungy, and Matthew McConaughey—what do all of these people have in common? They are all people of faith who have leaned on God in both the good and challenging times—and they’ve shown up to tell their stories of faith on The Jesus Calling Podcast. The Jesus Calling Podcast provides a place for people from all walks of life to share the heartaches, joys, and divine moments that keep them going.
Inspired by Sarah Young's classic devotional book, the Jesus Calling podcast has brought encouragement and peace to millions. New episodes drop every Thursday! Listen today on LifeAudio.com or wherever you find your podcasts.
Originally published Wednesday, 13 March 2024.
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