“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:25-34 (NIV)
Peace and comfort comes by being yoked to the Lord Jesus – not from the world - with all its flashy glitz which it holds out and lures with - yet is fleeting at best. He is our peace in the midst of every storm. Nothing takes Him by surprise. There is not anything He is unable to handle. He is in perfect control. The safest place to be is standing firm in all the will of God mature and fully assured - even when the winds are howling against us. There are many lessons to be learned in the things not of our choosing, Amen? There are also sweet encounters with the Savior that are unearthly in their nature as He is ever close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit – like Mary at His tomb.
Blinded in her tears yet holding firm to her faith Mary sought Him diligently after His crucifixion and He acquiesces to show Himself to her in John 20:15-17 (NIV): “Woman,” he said, “why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”
Jesus spoke her name and Mary knew His voice – giving her exactly what she needed when she needed it. The Good Shepherd calls His sheep by name and they know His voice. Mary’s example here is stellar. Scripture tells us in Jeremiah 29:13-14A (NIV): “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity.” God always, always rewards those who earnestly and diligently seek Him.
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)