3 minute read
Reflection
IN the summer of 2017 our two youngest daughters, who were soon to leave for university and college, longed for us to go on a family holiday abroad together. Unfortunately, our passports had expired, and could not be renewed in time for us to travel. Instead, we went across the Irish Sea, using our driving licences as ID, and visited beautiful Northern Ireland for the first time.
The scenery near where we stayed on the northern coast near the Giant’s Causeway was stunning. My husband, Colin, still finds it amusing that I was so fascinated by the Causeway. I could have stayed there all day if it wasn’t for an imminent storm. He got the four of us to run-walk all the way back to the cottage in the rain. We were drenched but laughing as he shouted military-style commands to run for a few paces, then walk for another few. It was a fun, memorable day.
However, the famous Dark Hedges lining Bregagh Road and leading up to Gracehill House left a different impression on me. The row of about 150 beech trees dates back to the 18th century, when James Stuart planted them to impress visitors as they approached his mansion. These trees, which have featured in the TV series Game of Thrones, appear quite mystical and, as we walked between them, made me feel uneasy. Legend has it that a ghost called the Grey Lady, or perhaps the ghost of one of James’s daughters, can be seen flitting from tree to tree on a dark night. I was glad we visited in the daytime.
The atmospheric pathway started me thinking about the pathway to peace that many are trying to navigate in these uncertain times. A peace-filled life is something we all long for, even more so with the present circumstances causing so much anxiety, fear and uncertainty. If we happen to look around us, as I did at the Dark Hedges, if we listen to the news or read the papers, it is very easy to become fearful and depressed. But if we take time to remember God is still in control, omnipresent and powerful, we can experience peace.
Many anxiety and panic attacks are not based on reality – and those false thoughts left unguarded can run riot within our hearts and minds. I am not saying that all anxiety is unfounded, but God’s word tells us: ‘Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by
Pathway to peace Nicola Walmsley encourages us to bring our anxious thoughts to God in prayer
prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus’ (Philippians 4:6 and 7). We have the power of prayer to counteract the negative effects of anxiety. As we present our requests to God, his peace fills our hearts and minds.
Paul’s letter goes on to say: ‘Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things … And the God of peace will be with you’ (vv8 and 9). If we focus our minds on such things, saturating our thoughts with the truth of God’s promises, then there is little room left to be filled with negative, anxious or unhealthy thoughts.
When my daughters were younger I used to sing a chorus with them if they became troubled or fearful: ‘Focus your eyes on Jesus, direct your attention to him./ And your heart will skip with joy!/ And your heart will skip with joy!/ And your heart will skip with joy and gladness as his life flows in.’ Singing this together always brought joy to the surface, overcoming fear with gladness.
In these uncertain times we can be assured that we need not be afraid. We are not alone and have not been abandoned; we have the blessed Holy Spirit with us! I pray that the Spirit will remind us all of the power of ‘prayer and petition, with thanksgiving’, as we navigate the coming months. May we put on the garment of praise, as thanksgiving fills our hearts and minds. May God’s peace, which transcends all understanding, guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
