On this journey, Paul’s words in Philippians 4 have become both my constant encouragement and my constant challenge. For the sake of my faith, my relationships with both God and my brother, as well as my mission and my sanity, I need to keep them in the forefront of my mind until the day the Lord takes me home. In a profound statement concerning peace, Paul writes, “Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. … I can do all things through Him who strengthens me!”

Contentment in the midst of every trial, every need, every anxious thought, and every defeat. Contentment in every victory, every joy, and upon every mountaintop is attainable only through total trust and faith in God’s sovereign and absolute rule over the kingdom of heaven on earth and our place in it. When we embrace this level of faith, the Enemy will never be able to turn our peace into frustration and anger the sun sets on repeatedly again.