You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You! Isaiah 26:3, NLT

SPLAT! Playdough whizzed past my head and landed on the wall next to me. It slid down the wall and onto the floor, leaving a green, slimy streak in its path.

Today marked the fourth day of heavy rain. It also marked the fourth day in a row that twenty, energy-filled, three-year-olds were stuck indoors. Even though rain was rare in Southern California, the kids were over its novelty by day two.

Today, the children were—expectedly—restless. My nerves were frazzled. Everything was too loud. It felt like everything was out of my control. There were too many things to do; toys needed to be picked up, diapers needed changing, tables needed wiping, and arguments over blocks needed mediating. I was stressed, and even my students could tell!

“Woah, Ms. Jane. It looks like you need to take a deep breath,” my sweet student instructed with hands held up as if he wanted to give my back a calming pat.

His words made my world freeze, and Isaiah 26:3 sprang up in my mind: You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You!

I had been too consumed with the chaos. I had forgotten to keep God as my anchor, as the One who would keep me tethered when it felt like a cyclone was going through my classroom. I stopped and prayed: Lord, I can’t do this with my own strength and ability. Help me keep my thoughts fixed on You. Help me remember the blessings of teaching; surround me with Your perfect peace. Grant me strength and wisdom to teach these children in ways that will glorify Your name. Amen.

Then I took a deep breath like my student suggested. I instantly felt calmer. The chaos was still there, but my heart and mind were at peace. That day, my attitude toward rainy and chaotic days changed. While things still felt hectic, they now provided opportunities to acknowledge His presence, peace, and strength. They were now welcome reminders to keep my eyes fixed on Jehovah Shalom!

The Lord is always ready to share His peace, strength, and wisdom. He is just waiting for us to shift our gaze from the distractions of chaos to His open arms.

Lord, when things feel chaotic, may we remember to keep our thoughts fixed on You. Remind us to rely on Your strength and not our own. Envelop us in Your perfect peace. In Jesus’ name. we pray, Amen.

Copyright Jane Sugandi.

Jane is a former preschool teacher from Orange, CA, and a current graduate student at Biola University’s School of Education Masters in Curriculum, Instruction, and Publication program.