Ballast

I’m Joni Eareckson Tada, and although I’m a quadriplegic and have cancer, I’m happy. But if I allow fear to creep in and destroy my peace of mind, I’d be doing nothing but reflecting on all the trouble I could be experiencing, like pressure sores or lung infections. If fear gets within me, I am sunk. I’d be flooded with anxiety and drowning in worry. It’s why Eugene Peterson says, “All the waters in all of the oceans cannot sink a ship, unless those waters get inside. Then the ship is doomed. In the same way, all the troubles in the entire world cannot touch me, unless I allow them to get inside of me.”

Friend, do not allow worry to sink your heart or submerge your peace of mind. Jesus says in John 16, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart. I overcome the world.” That’s your ballast to steady your ship.