This little girl loves to climb the big knobby tree trunk in the
park close to my home - with my help. She sits up high, not a care
in the world. She's at peace, calm, serene, loves the view! How
can she feel that way when in reality she's stranded up there?
She can't climb down on her own; she'd be sure to fall. 

She's all relaxed up there because when it's time to get down she 
tells me, "I can't get down by myself." And I say, "I'll hold your
hand, don't be afraid, I will help you." She reaches out her hand,
I grasp it tightly and step by step she scrambles down to the ground
again and looks at me with a triumphant grin on her sweet face.

The other day I came across these words: "I am the Lord who takes 
hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help
you." (Isa.41:13) And I thought these are the exact words I say to
my little 4-yr-old granddaughter! She believes every word I say,
she trusts me fully to get her down from the tree. 

How come I have so much trouble believing the most perfect, most
loving Father known to us when He says those same words to me? How
many tight spots I've been in with my stomach all in knotts! How 
many hours of sleep I've lost! How my heart has pounded with fear!
How many times I've been perplexed wondering how I would survive
"climbing down" or "out" of the hole I was in. 

And all the while I wasn't hearing, "I'll hold your hand, don't
be afraid, I will help you."

To be at peace is a most desirable state to be in. It gives us
strength. It increases immune cell activity, it helps us get a
good nights rest.

As the Christmas season approaches, may you find a sense of peace
amidst whatever you are dealing with by putting your trust in the
most realiable Person - the Prince of peace.

He was born to give us peace. So, hush, be still, listen to His
reasuring words, "Don't be afraid, I'll hold your hand,
I will help you."

A.F.


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