You can live with something unpleasant for so long that it becomes normal. As normal as a noisy air conditioner under your bedroom window. You think fixing it will cost too much. You can even think you don’t deserve to have it fixed. It’s bad, but over time it becomes not so bad. Maybe in some perverted way it even becomes a bit comforting. You know, because it’s normal,
I once lived for months with two inches of water in a slow-draining bathtub. Take a shower, step in the water. I don’t know why I let it become normal.
Growing up, I learned to walk daintily at home so as not to rile up my angry, alcoholic father. Being careful became normal.
Fear and a troubled heart can become normal, too. You learn to live with the disturbing, background buzz of apprehension. If someone asked, you wouldn’t be able to say what you’re fearful of or troubled about. It’s just there.
It’s too good to be true that someone with the power to change that, wants to. You don’t have to live that way. You’re not supposed to live that way. But like the noisy air conditioner, there can be a sad comfort and security in the habit.
Do you want to be healed?
Yes, the world is filled with trouble, but take heart, the one who wants to give peace to you personally has overcome the world. No, you don’t deserve peace. You don’t get it because you deserve it.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid – John 14:27
