“God cannot give us peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.” – C.S. Lewis
I wrote this post because this very difficult and unexpected event taught me something about faith that’s too important to miss. For me it’s been a step toward maturity long overlooked. More about that later.
The moment my sister Rebecca sent this photo to my phone, I wanted to share it. What was a very traumatic event for our family became an opportunity to invite the Author of life and peace into our lives, beginning with a quiet moment between sisters.
Let’s back up a little. Here’s the backstory…
Just hours before that hospital room picture was taken, my sister Julie was making her way home at the end of another busy work day at the Indianapolis school where she’s been teaching for many years. Leaving the school on her bicycle for the short ride home, Julie strapped on her helmet and set out. Just another day in a full life.
Along the bike lane route ahead of her, adjacent to the commuting traffic, there were no obvious indications of any hazards on the pavement. Julie pedaled along, focused on the sights and sounds around her, probably thinking about settling down after another busy day with her students.
Although Julie traveled this route many times, this day’s trip from school to the house would in the next few seconds potentially change everything.
A sign post had apparently been knocked off its fixed base in the pavement some time earlier. The sign was no longer standing, but a solid base remained, fixed securely to the hard concrete, barely inches above the surface. When the bike’s rolling front tire hit the solid fixture, there was no time to avert what would occur in a split second. The bike and its rider instantly slammed to the pavement. Unforeseen. Unexpected. Unforgiving.
life
“I read some Bible verses to her this morning. She has a great connection with the Lord.” – a text message from Rebecca on the morning of November 6, 2025
Early in the morning after the accident, Rebecca sat at Julie’s hospital bedside and opened her Bible. She began reading familiar words into the silent room. Why is this significant?
The written Word of God (the Bible) reveals to us Jesus who is the incarnate Word of God. What power is at work when scripture – Jesus, the Word – is rooted deep, and His truth is spoken from our hearts! This is the only truth in life that never changes. Even in the worst of life’s unforeseen, unexpected and unforgiving encounters, He who is the same yesterday, today and forever, is ever faithful to hear us. Healing occurs. Strength is restored. Life awakens.
“So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.” – John 1:14
This has been a vital step in maturity as I read the living Word, not only when my life feels threatened by something unforeseen and unexpected, but in all my ordinary days. As I read, by faith I now seek to be engaged and connected with the Spirit of Christ. Through time and surrender, Jesus reminds me He is with me always, ready to fulfill His wonderful promise for my life, recorded in John 10:10…
“I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.” – John 10:10b (The Message)
The next time you open your Bible to read, let it testify to you what is occurring as you speak it into your own life and situation:
Heaven’s ear bends to the sound (2 Chronicles 7:14). The unseen spiritual realm is moved with every scriptural word spoken from your lips. Scripture tells us clearly that the Holy Spirit and spirits of darkness are stirred into battle by the spoken, ever-prevailing Word — living, powerful and active, sharper than a two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, joints and marrow (Hebrews 4:12). It is mighty in God to cast down every stronghold, pretension and argument exalting itself against Him (2 Corinthians 10:4-5). The Word that goes out from our lips, to heaven, never, ever returns void, and it accomplishes its very purpose (Isaiah 55:11-12).
Time spent in the Word is never wasted and is always invested. The Word is life, real life.
(See more on this spiritual interconnectedness that is built into us.)
“I am the way, the truth, and the life…Since I live, you also will live…” – from John 14:6
peace
According to Julie’s medical care team, the traumatic nature of the accident and subsequent injuries required that she completely “surrender” to the life-supporting measures, including intensive care, around the clock. Sustaining vital life function was first priority. In turn, this would restore peaceful harmony to the body with all its miraculous interconnected systems and self-healing mechanisms.
Over the next several days, there were increasing signs that Julie was making a gradual recovery. Squeezing of hands, nods, flickering eyelids. Soon there would be brief verbal responses, then conversations, and eventually release from intensive care and hospitalization. Peace would now be restored.
Thankfully, today, Julie is enjoying her full life again, with 100% recovery.
“…And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give.” – from John 14:27
finding life and peace
For many years I took peace for granted, without living the life to which Jesus called me. My personal peace was shallow, based on the shifting circumstances of my life. But the reality is that life in the natural world is bound to face unforeseen, unexpected and unforgiving trauma. We just can’t predict or avoid the unforeseen hazards on life’s road ahead. Mine has been no exception.
As a follower of Jesus today, the Spirit of Christ is teaching me that only by surrendering and responding to His intensive care and life support every day, will I step into the full and abundant life He promises. As a result, He has been faithful to guard and govern my heart and mind with a new kind of peace, beyond my ability to have on my own. It’s indescribable, but I can say no matter what comes my way, I can rest in knowing that He is always good, and He cares for me.
“God’s strong hand is on you; he’ll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you…Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” – from 1 Peter 5:7 (The Message) and Philippians 4:7
Both Apostles Peter and Paul writing to the believers, reinforced the truth that living in Christ (with the Word rooted deep) actually enabled God’s peace in their lives. Living in Christ is the cause, peace is the effect.
What about you? Maybe you’re a lifelong believer that isn’t always sure how to lay it all down. Maybe you’re on the edge of saving faith, not sure where to turn. Maybe you’ve been angry at a God you’re not sure you even believe in, but your trauma is so painful that real life and peace evades your understanding.
There is a way to overcome all of that, beginning today. But life support will require your time, and patience, and willingness to rest, surrendering to intensive care in the loving hands of the Author of life and peace in the room with you. The same Power that rescued my sister Julie in her physical trauma, will rescue you. In both the physical and spiritual worlds, the God of it all is with you, ready to save, deliver, heal and prosper you.
Take some time to dwell on the words in these passages that can guide you in restoring life and peace for yourself, and in the lives of those you love.
“…choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days…” – Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (NKJV) “…Those who trust God’s action in them find that God’s Spirit is in them—living and breathing God! Obsession with self in these matters is a dead end; attention to God leads us out into the open, into a spacious, free life…” – Romans 8:6 (The Message) “There is lasting peace for those who love your teachings…” – Psalm 119:165 (God’s Word translation) “…Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down…” – Philippians 4:6-7 (The Message)
“…letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.” – Romans 8:6b
Going further: You and I also have many opportunities to meet the practical life-needs of people that cross our daily path. Over and above meeting practical and physical needs, our prayer is that the Spirit of Christ will empower us to build life-saving and peace-restoring bridges from the physical needs, into the timeless, spiritual truths. In these and all situations, struggles, and even trauma, there is a Life and Peace beyond human explanation. May you and I find this for ourselves and help others to do the same.
Please feel free to share this post with someone that may need to hear about the life and peace available to them today!
