These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.For many years I have experienced and enjoyed living in the peace of God. Since I have found out that He was for me and not against me, I have tapped into His peace many times and He has always been there.
(John 16:33)
Today, I understand His peace even more fully and know that only He can give it when all hell breaks loose around me.
On October 16, 1989, I was riding down West Markham Street in Little Rock at 11:15 a.m. with my husband, who was driving. All of a sudden our car just died. We had plenty of gas and the car was in tip-top condition, yet it died.
Happy was hurriedly trying to start it as it was coasting to a stop. All I could think to say was, "Get it out of the street!" In fact, that is the last thing I remember saying.
About that time, the driver of a large tire truck behind us plowed into the rear of our car because he wasn't looking where he was going. He literally took a bite out of it, leaving only half of a car. It was totaled and sold for junk.
When he hit us, we hit the dash. Then the thrust of our bodies broke the front seats as we fell back flat. In other words, we were hurled forward then thrown backward. Thank God we weren't thrown through the windshield. At that point, I was knocked unconscious.
The next thing I remember was being put into the ambulance on a stretcher. I felt terrific pain in my back. I couldn't imagine where I was or what had happened; the medical reports say that I had temporary amnesia.
But, I had a peace - a peace that was almost awesome. I had absolutely no fear, and I felt God's presence with me.
At the hospital, as I was going in and out of consciousness, I heard Happy telling a policeman what had happened, so I knew for the first time what this was all about. My clothes were full of glass and, as they were stripping them off, two pieces of glass got in my eye, so I had to tell the nurse to get them out.
They took quite a few X-rays, did a CAT scan, and determined the injury to my spine. The medical reports reflect that I sustained three fractured vertebrae. I had a huge knot on my head and bruises on my body. Happy was banged up a bit, but praise God, his injuries weren't serious.
I could sense they were concerned about whether or not I might be paralyzed. They kept having me move parts of my body and asked constantly if I felt numb anywhere. I remember thinking, "I'm fine."
I said over and over, "No weapon formed against me shall prosper" (Isa. 54:17). The Word of God poured out of my mouth. I told everyone when I was conscious, "I'm a quick healer." I never had anything but the peace of God through it all. It was a calm assurance that all was well.
I knew in my heart that God would supernaturally take care of me. Many great men and women of God prayed for me, adding their faith to ours. Therefore, I knew that I was healed by the stripes of Jesus!
Some of you may be saying to yourselves, "How did this happen to you?" Or, "Did you open the door somewhere to the devil?" Well, don't think I haven't searched my heart and sought God about this! After prayer, I can honestly say that my heart was right before God.
I have since realized that the Holy Spirit did try to keep us from leaving our house that day, but we did not perceive it was Him. I thought because I didn't want to rush to get dressed and meet my uncle for lunch that what I was "feeling" was just me.
We Miss It When We Don't Obey
That is where we faith people miss it. We can make our faith confessions for protection, but if the Holy Spirit tells you not to do something, you had better obey Him!
I do believe this accident was an attack of the enemy not just to steal the love and trust I have toward my Father God, but also to steal the Word I had sown in my heart and the hearts of other believers. One of my favorite subjects to teach is the love of God and how He protects and leads us by His Spirit.
Don't let the devil steal the Word that is in your heart! Mark 4:14-20 says that the sower soweth the Word, and Satan comes immediately to steal the Word that was sown. It says that affliction and persecution arise, for the Word's sake.
He would like to make you believe that you can't depend on God. If he succeeds, he can control and manipulate you. He wants to choke the Word out of you and me.
But he can't! I am good ground. I am still alive! I am still in control, and without God's protection I would be dead. The devil can't steal the Word out of my heart. Don't let him steal it out of yours.
You too can know that same peace of God that passes all understanding (Phil. 4:7) even when you are in a great trial of affliction. You can have peace when you truly see God as your Father, and when you love Him and His Word more than anyone or anything else in the world.
The Bible has many Scriptures, which talk about the peace of God that is available to you. If the revelation of this truth becomes a reality in your life, you will live in His peace - no matter what challenges and trials you face.
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers