The Secret Ingredient For Peace

I love watching The Great British Baking Show. Baking is relaxing for me, but watching other people bake beautiful treats I’ve never heard of whilst discussing the process in English accents is even more relaxing. Each week the bakers are presented with a technical challenge. One week the technical challenge was to make an angel food cake. When the time was up they all brought their cakes to present to the judges. One baker presented the most pitiful lopsided sunken cake. He had followed the recipe but made one mistake. He used salt instead of sugar. All of the problems this cake had in appearance, texture, and taste were because of one missing ingredient.

Our family is nearing the end of quite a long quarantine stint after my daughter tested positive for the dreaded coronavirus a few weeks ago. We won’t all be able to be together for Thanksgiving this year, just like so many other families around the world. Anxiety levels are high for so many right now, and not knowing when or if we will be able to gather with loved ones has robbed us of our peace.

The apostle Paul knew what it was like to be isolated, lonely and wondering what the near future would hold. But, he still had peace. When writing to his friends in Philippi he told them how they too could have it.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, 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 through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

I think the secret ingredient to Paul’s “Peace Pie” was gratitude. He told his friends not to worry but to talk to God about it with thanksgiving asking Him for help. While in quarantine, wondering how my daughter was and if my son and I had the virus as well, I was riddled with worry. Gratitude was far from my mind. After reading these verses over and over, I started to pull gratitude in closer, making an effort to see the good things God was doing around me. I was able to talk to God and ask Him for help each day to protect me from the temptation to let worry in, to show me things I could be thankful for, and express my concern for the health of my family while feeling confident in His good plan for His people. It is hard to be angry, depressed, or anxious when you are taking note of the blessings God has given you.

Thankfully we have a holiday meant to remind us to be thankful. So, if you want to enjoy a big slice of Peace Pie this thanksgiving, I suggest you do just that…give thanks.