How to Have Peace Like a Child

Babies are precious, adorable little bundles from God. But man, can they be boisterous! I remember the seasons of nursing an infant. As soon as my boy mastered the use of his little arms, he would get hungry and begin to tug at my clothes, first whimpering and then screaming to be fed.

“But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me” (Ps. 131:2 ESV).

This verse never made much sense to me until I became a mother. Then I began to understand the total desperation a hungry baby displays, and in contrast, the quietness the weaned child exhibits when he’s in the arms of his mother. She brings peace to him with her presence.

My tendency is to remain in a state of unrest. I can not voluntarily be still. I certainly do not excel at recreation. When I am stressed, I turn into a whirlwind of activity. I keep piling more and more onto myself and my to-do list, until literally, I let out a wail just like a hungry infant. I become demanding and impatient, and the tears come. I tend to seek comfort in more busyness. It’s an endless cycle.

When I finally remember that I have a Savior calling to me with a quiet voice, I usually fall into his arms sobbing. Why can’t I just go to him before I get to that point? Why can’t I sit contentedly with him every day? Why can’t I just spend time loving him and listening?

Our souls are hungry. Like infants, we are sustained by life-giving food, and our souls thrive on the Father’s spiritual nourishment. We resist and want things our own way. We think, Maybe this time I can handle it on my own. Perhaps this time I’m strong enough. Maybe this time I’m like God?

I want to learn to be like a glassy, still lake before my Lord. I want to hear His voice and absorb every drop of truth that He speaks to my heart, allowing it to ripple through my soul. I want to display visible peace and contentment to a hurting and panicked world. I want to be still and know that He is God.

When I set aside time to sit with my heavenly Father and rest beneath His wings like a little child, I bring glory to Him, and He in turn brings comfort to my soul.

Gina Grizzle is a wife, mama, and aspiring writer who has a passion to share her life with other women in order to encourage them to be the best they can for the kingdom. At home in East Tennessee, Gina loves to fluff her nest, squeeze her sweet kids, and read books. She blogs at ginagrizzle.blogspot.com.