I lost my car keys. I’ve turned the house upside down, looked in every purse and pant pocket—no keys. I have an appointment across town right now. So, why am I writing you when I should be enjoying a panic attack? Now that’s an interesting story…

I was building up to a memorable panic attack when my own words reached through the frustration and literally made me stop my frenzied search for the keys and ask, “Is this a problem or an opportunity to see God work?” Ouch.

I’ve been acting like this is the biggest problem ever. Maybe I should claim God’s promise to ‘cause all things to work together for good’ and ask Him if there’s something else He wants me to be doing. Maybe the appointment isn’t on His agenda for me today. Maybe writing you is.

Here’s the amazing thing—as I wrote the first sentence of this blog God’s Spirit spoke to my heart.

“What is the key to peace and joy, Kathy? You’ve misplaced it My daughter. In the push to meet project deadlines and family commitments, you’ve focused on the task and assumed responsibility for making it all happen. You’re like the van. You have everything you need to do what you’re suppose to do, but you’ve misplaced the key (trust in Me and dependence on My Spirit). It’s not hard to find, but you aren’t going to go anywhere until you use it.”

Wow. I teach that stuff all the time and yet I forgot it. The pressure of timelines and relationships took my focus off Him and on to the tasks at hand. Here’s the thing, it’s not that I’ve been neglecting my devotion times. It’s not that I haven’t been talking with God. But sometimes life moves so fast that it takes a more proactive commitment to keep my focus on Him in the midst of the frenzy.

I know we’re on the threshold of summer and the pace of life is (theoretically) suppose to slow down, but I also know the enemy of our joy never takes a break. He’s always looking for ways to take our eyes off Jesus and he’s very good at what he does. If you find you’re stressed or in a frenzy, I pray you’ll stop, ask if this is a problem or an opportunity to see God work and then ask God to show you the opportunity He’s providing! It’s the key to peace and joy. I promise it works!

It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt, not fearing the kings anger.  He kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the One who is invisible. Hebrew 13:27 NLT  (underline added)