You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, For in Yah, the Lord, is everlasting strength. Isaiah 26:3-4 NKJV

So, what is God saying in current crisis (COVID-19 pandemic), which is causing people to suffer sickness, financial problems and uncertainty, unemployment, mental and emotional breakdowns, loneliness and isolation, depression and marital problems, spousal abuse and child abuse, and even substance abuse? God is saying, “[I] will keep [you] in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on [God].”

We can’t avoid conflict and problems in this uncertain world, but with God, we can be at peace even in the midst of this pandemic, affliction and persecution, chaos and confusion. When we are faithful in our relationship with God, our whole attitude can be healthy, stable and steady, supported by God’s unchanging hand of love and His mighty power. And, if we keep our thoughts on God and trust in Him, we can have, not just peace but perfect peace!

Perfect Peace is double peace (Shalom Shalom, Hebrew Text). It’s peace upon peace; it is to feel wholly peaceful and safe, happy and healthy, well and prosperous; and to feel all is well. The Bible speaks of two kinds of peace: peace of God (Text) and peace with God (Rom. 5:1). The peace of God is your mind-set and peace with God is your heart-set and righteous standing before God. The key to perfect peace is a stayed mind, i.e., your mind leaning upon the Lord and taking hold of God by standing on His Word. A stayed mind is having a sober and healthy attitude, not disturbed by sickness and disease, financial problems, and physical or emotional problems.

Satan uses adverse circumstances to rob you of your peace— things like affliction, fear, trouble, disturbances, distractions, and inconveniences. If your mind isn’t stayed on God, these circumstance will certainly reveal hidden and unhealed hurts and other unresolved issues in your life (See Mark 4:35-41). Every crisis you face is also is an opportunity to refocus your faith and reset your relationship with God. At the core of all these problems are fear and anxiety (Phil. 4:6), but God promised perfect peace, and He “the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen” (Rom. 16:20).