Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
In 20 years of marriage, my wife and I have moved 12 times (eight times with children). Some have been simple moves across town, while seven have been to a new state. Moving is never easy. There are so many details, so much uncertainty, so much anxiety related to a move. There’s finding a new place to live, a new place to worship (much easier now!), new stores, new schools, new friends, new everything! But I discovered a secret along about move number five that has made it much easier.
The year was 1997, and we were living in Frisco, Texas. Chris and Courtney were 2 ½ and Deb was pregnant with Cameron. We enjoyed Texas, but wanted to live closer to South Dakota and our parents, so I worked with my boss to try to find an opportunity to transfer within the company to somewhere in the upper Midwest. I found an opening in South Dakota, but they would never return my boss’ phone calls. There was an opportunity in Fargo, North Dakota, but they decided to wait a while longer before hiring.
We were frustrated and anxious. Things were not going according to our plans. Something needed to happen soon, or we would have to delay at least six months due to Deb’s pregnancy. One night in a small group Bible study, we were studying Philippians 4:6-7. Those words spoke volumes to me. I even wrote out the verse on a Post-it note, and placed it in my wallet where I would see it every time I pulled out my credit card, or used the badge that I needed to swipe to get into my workplace. When I would see that verse, I would offer up a little prayer. We also started praying nightly about the move, that God would provide the right place for us if that was His will.
An amazing thing happened. We felt a peace and contentment come over us. Even though the uncertainty was still there, the frustration and anxiety were not. An opportunity came up in Des Moines, Iowa, and the hiring manager just happened to be my former team leader. He hired me without an interview, and said he wanted me there ASAP. But there was a problem: We had a house we needed to sell and Deb was six months pregnant. So we prayed some more, thanking God for His blessing and praying for His wisdom. We put the house on the market and sold it in less than two weeks! Less than a month later we were moving to Des Moines with two toddlers and one on the way, with no place to live. We kept praying. And He kept taking our anxieties away, and giving us peace, and providing for us as we trusted in Him.
Thirteen years and six moves later, we were faced with another move, this time here to Columbus: to a new church, new schools, new home, new everything. Yes, we were anxious at times, but we knew we had many people praying for us here and in Wisconsin. And God heard our prayers, provided and guided us through the transition, and gave us His peace as He brought us here to Peace.
My brothers and sisters in Christ, don’t be anxious. Pray instead, seek God’s will through His Word. And God will give you His peace that can only be found in His Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ!