After giving a well-received commencement speech for the Palm Beach Atlantic University Orlando 2022 graduation, I thought I would sleep like a baby, but that wasn't the case.
When I shared Gideon's story, I didn't know that what I said to the graduates and their families would help me as well.
I found myself lying awake at three o'clock in the morning. My mind was racing with thoughts of the
U.S. Expo and National Conference, the
Relationship-Building Lunch this week, the Chamber's finances, my daughter's college plans (three years away), my wedding in September, my dog's life expectancy, and more. After about two hours of a constant barrage of fear-inducing thoughts, I decided to change my own mind.
I started to thank God for as many things as I could. As I was thanking God, I calmed down and quickly drifted to sleep.
We can all learn from Gideon. Remember that God reduced Gideon's army from 32,000 soldiers to 300. When Gideon overtook the Midianites, he did it with trumpets, glass pitchers, and lanterns. The soldiers broke the glass, blew their trumpets, and shouted "The Sword of the Lord, and of Gideon."
Even though the Midianites were far greater in number, they cried, ran, and fled. They even turned their swords against one another in confusion and fear.
Think about what the "sword of the Lord" represents. We see it in Ephesians 6, which is the word of God. It is our only offensive weapon when we put on the armor of God.
Gideon's army had far fewer soldiers and no physical battle weapons in hand, yet they were victorious over the Midianites. Why? Because they were standing on the word and truth of God, The Sword of the Lord.
As I tried to fall asleep after the commencement, I thought of Philippians 4:6-7 and chose to move from worrying and asking God to thanking him. It worked for me just as it says in verse 7: The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
No matter what storm or challenge swells up in your mind in the middle of the night, I pray this message helps you to have a wonderful and peaceful night of rest!