Perfect Peace in Trying Times

This week in Boston, the bombing not only took lives and limbs, it robbed many of their joy and peace. It threatened to affect marathons and other events all over the nation, as well. My heart was broken for those affected as I prayed for them. And yet, I was encouraged to hear so many leaders asking for prayer for those who were hurt or for the police as they sought the bombers - an acknowledgment that we as humans need God's help.

Today I wanted to share a verse that's meant a lot to me, especially over the last three decades. No matter how perfectly we may try to live our lives, problems will invariably sneak in to challenge us, robbing us of inner peace. I could write a biography full of unbelievable trials. Some of my acquaintances used to say, "You should write a book about this!" But I don't want to focus on those problems or trials. I think that what is most important is Who I had with me during those trials.

The card I'm sharing today has one of the verses I recited to myself when danger or the near death of a loved one threatened to rob me of God's Peace. Or, in the dark hours of the night I remember saying it to regain His peace so I could sleep. Remembering answered prayers and blessings keeps my mind on Him. Reading Scripture and hymns fills me with beautiful peace and joy.

I hope to pass this card on to someone else when they need to learn to trust God to see them through a difficulty, to praise Him for all He did before and what He'll do again. It says:

"You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You." Isaiah 26:3

I used the sketch from Mojo Monday 289:

The Scripture comes from Our Daily Bread Designs "Scripture Collection 7." I used dp from two different sets of Asian papers (lost the source) and a brown lacy piece from Basic Grey's "Curio." I used Scalloped Circles and Lacey Circles from Spellbinders Nestabilities to highlight the Scripture. The darkest brown mocha opaques (pearls) are from Close To My Heart. I tried something different - added extra brown mocha opaques on the top of the ribbon banner that dangles off the cardstock banner.

Thank you for visiting. I hope you'll find this verse meaningful and helpful in your own life. If so, pass it on!

I'm sharing this card with the following challenges:
Forever Friends #59 - Die Cuts and Punches
Hiding in my Craft Room #94 - banners
Mojo Monday #289 - sketch
Our Daily Bread Designs Shining the Light Challenge #150 - use Scripture or a Hymn
Paper Crafting Journey - Use a Sentiment
Pumpkin Spice #16 - Faithful or Meaningful sentiment
Tuesday Throwdown #143 - Focus on the Sentiment
Word Art Wednesday #76 - anything goes with encouraging or uplifting sentiment