Don't Let Turmoil Get Inside by Joel Osteen

See, ships don't sink because of the water around them. Ships sink because of the water that gets in them. A ship can be in the ocean and have hundreds of miles of water in every direction. The waters can be cold, choppy and rough with big waves.

Water around them is not a problem. But if that ship lets what's on the outside get on the inside, then it is a major problem. It will sink. We can't stop what's on the outside: opposition, offense, trouble, delays, traffic. These things are going to happen. The key is, don't let what's on the outside get on the inside.

A friend of mine is fighting cancer. He's had several surgeries. He's gone through chemo and radiation. There's a lot of turmoil on the outside. He could be upset, worried and discouraged, but he's just as calm and peaceful as he can be. He still has his sense of humor. He's learned to not let the turmoil get on the inside. He's protecting his inner sanctuary, his place of peace.

A lady I know emailed me. Her husband has cancer of the esophagus. During surgery, they had complications and weren't able to remove it. He's had to take chemo and radiation. It's been a long, tough battle. If that wasn't bad enough, she just got news that she has cancer of the liver. Now she's going to have to take the treatment. A lot of people would have been bitter saying, "God, why is this happening to me?" The end of her e-mail said, "Joel, we've got a rough road up ahead, but we know God is with us. We're at peace. We're happy and enjoying life."

The only way you can say that you're at peace and enjoying life when there is chaos all around you is when you know how to protect your secret place and stay connected with Almighty God. This lady is not letting the turmoil, worry or discouragement get on the inside. She's protecting her heart and filling it with the right things - God's Word, praise, faith and hope.

Today, maybe you are fighting a battle like these friends of mine. Maybe something else is coming against you. Don't let what's coming against you get inside of you. Protect your heart. Press forward in faith. Trust that God is working behind the scenes. Keep standing, keep hoping and keep pressing forward to the victory He has in store for you.

"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." (Proverbs 4:23, NIV)