"Everything has gone wrong!"
"I can't do anything right!"
"I simply cannot go on!"
"I have made one grand mess of my life."
"I'm no use to anyone! They would all be better off if I were gone . . .."
"The pain is too great!"
"I can't believe this is happening to me!"
"Why? Why? Why?"

Maybe you've had thoughts like this at some time in your life. Well, there's no "maybe" with me. Those were the thoughts of a wretched song that Satan played over and over and over for me. So, perhaps you relate to me. (Isn't relevance the most important word in our culture now? "If it doesn't relate to me, then forget it!")

God says,"Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence" (Psalm 42:5).

Spend a little time with me and let's mull over some very important things:

• "For the mountains may be removed and the hills may shake, but My lovingkindness will not be removed from you, and My covenant of peace will not be shaken," says the Lord who has compassion on you." (Isaiah 54:10)
• "Peace I leave with you. My peace I give unto you. Not as the world gives, do I give you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid." (John 14:27)

Think: God loves me and that will never, never, no NEVER be taken away from me. (Even though the world around me is shaking!) He has given me His peace. (Note the verb—past tense.) Constant love. A covenant of peace. Am I included in those words? Certainly. So can I envision myself wrapped in His love—His kindness—constantly? Can I accept His peace? He doesn't promise emotional calmness. It's peace that gives me MENTAL stability—which, as I stay my mind there will bring about in due time, emotional stability. However, I must remember that I cannot control my emotions. As I walk every day, no matter where I am, at home, in the yard, downtown, at the office, in the car or in the hospital—His lovingkindness and peace are with me—they surround me. He told me that! Can I set my mind on these things? They are true and they were spoken for me.

"And when we obey Him, every path He leads us on is fragrant with His lovingkindness and His truth" (Psalm 25:10).

There it is again: enveloped in His lovingkindness and truth!