Peace Beyond Understanding

I was sued, and it was fraudulent. I did not know the man suing me and had not hired him to repair a rental property as he claimed. In a voice-recorded message, he admitted we had never met but insisted he had worked for me and had suffered serious health consequences. He concluded his message by saying all of this could go away for $200.

Although untrue, this situation was unsettling. However, I was confident no one would believe his story—what he was attempting was too obvious. I had his recorded admission in his own words! My contractor supported my account and denied the man's claims. Besides, I was a Christian and believed this kind of injustice could not prevail. Or so I thought.

The next eight months were filled with discouragement. What I had relied on slowly crumbled, and I became increasingly depressed. The recording, my contractor's testimony, and my honest answers seemed to make no difference. An out-of-town lawyer accepted the man's story, and I received notice of the lawsuit against me. To make matters worse, my liability insurance company refused coverage based on a technicality.

Even though I had done everything right, I now faced legal fees and a sizable judgment. The things I had relied on let me down. I felt alone and helpless. I asked friends to pray that God would relieve me of this unfair burden, but life continued with a series of disappointments.

I reached a point of deep dejection. I was so broken! In my office, I slid from my chair to my knees, with my face on the floor. I no longer knew what to pray and felt like an empty shell. I didn't have words to express my feelings, but I believe the Spirit within me was interceding. I don't know how long I stayed there, but when I got back into my chair, I simply sat in silence.

I didn't receive a call saying that everything had been resolved, and nothing tangible had changed. Yet, I experienced a peace I had never felt before—oneI couldn't fully understand. The worries and concerns that had consumed me were replaced by a profound calm and trust. I felt only thankfulness. I can't explain it completely, but I felt that regardless of the outcome, everything was in God's hands. I was able to trust God and thank Him for everything that had happened.

Looking back, I realize that learning to trust was the purpose of everything I went through.

The story continued. Weeks later, on the trial date, I arrived at the courthouse. The rotunda was lined with potential jurors for various trials. My attorney approached and relayed the offer: if I agreed to pay a slightly redcued amount, they would settle. I briefly considered how this might end the uncertainty and resolve the nightmare, but it would be wrong. I instructed him to decline the offer.

He eventually returned, lookedme in the eyes, and said they had dropped the case.

Reflecting on this, I wonder if God intended for me to experience this trial to bring me to a place of total trust in Him. I hope to always live in that state of complete trust and pray that I won't need such a lengthy lesson next time.

Have you experienced God's transformative power  in your own life? We would love to hear your story! Your story—regardless of how spectacular or ordinary you might think it is—is a glimpse into God's character and could inspire and encourage others on their own spiritual journeys. Share how you've experienced  the life-changing love and grace of God today.