I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. (John 16:33)


“THIS BOOK IS THE MOST IMPORTANT thing in this room,” the hotel manager told Norman Vincent Peale. After Peale’s speech one night, the manager had ushered him to a beautiful suite of rooms. Peale expressed appreciation for the lovely accommodations. The manager said, “Do you know what the most important thing in this room is?” That’s when the manager laid his hand on the Bible and declared its importance.

“It saved my life when I was close to losing it,” he declared. His wife had become suddenly ill and died within three hours. A promotion he was anticipating went to another man. At the same time, he learned that his son had gotten mixed up in some bad practices.

“One day I just put my head down on my desk,” he said, “and cried: ‘Lord, I’m licked. Please help me.'”

Soon afterward he had a strong urge to read the Bible. He knew very little about it, but when he opened it, his eyes fell on Philippians 4:6–7: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Through these verses God brought peace to his heart. When your heart is open, Jesus will also bring peace to you.

This very day enjoy the peace that passes understanding.

Ron McClung, who works at his denomination’s world headquarters, lives in Fishers, Indiana, with his wife, Carol. They have two sons, nine grandchildren, and two great-granddaughters.