.png)
The Peace Snatchers
- Alicia Searl
- Sep 30
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 6
By Dawn Ward
“We looked for peace, but no good came; for a time of healing, but behold, terror.” Jeremiah 8:15 (ESV)
“Your child is addicted to drugs.” The doctor’s words landed like a punch to my gut, knocking the wind out of me. How could this be happening? Why my son? How could I have prevented it? What can I do to fix it? My thoughts overflowed with unanswered questions as my fear grew.
I felt like I was standing on a cliff’s edge, gazing at the waves crashing below. My feet were slipping as my world fell out from under me. Gazing down at the jagged rocks and crashing waves, I felt helpless and alone. I had suddenly become that mom.
The doctor’s words, cautiously spoken nearly 20 years ago, marked a defining moment in my life. What we were about to live through would challenge my faith in ways I couldn’t have imagined. Whereas once I thought my faith could withstand any storm, hearing her words shattered that illusion and made me question everything I believed.
“Lord, why did you let this happen? I’ve prayed for my son, vetted his friends, and sent him to church and Christian school. The Bible says that if I train him up in the way he should go, when he grows up, he will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6). Now at 17, he is using drugs. Where were you? Where are you?”
Asking questions with no answers while accusing God of abandoning me hijacked my peace. I nicknamed these the “peace snatchers.” Not only did they rob me of my peace but also my joy, faith, and hope.
Another peace snatcher was an over-weighted sense of responsibility and need to fix my son. This was a burden too heavy to bear as I realized I had no control over his actions or his readiness to seek help. I struggled to put my trust in anyone to help my son. I didn’t trust the professionals after reading the statistics. I didn’t trust my son who naively thought he had it under control. I didn’t trust my judgment anymore. And I was finding it hard to trust God––at least enough to lay my son at His feet.
The peace snatchers had done their job. It was there at my lowest point I heard the Lord’s sweet whisper. Through the wind and waves, through the storm threatening to destroy everything–– “Peace, be still!” (Mark 4:39)
The Lord had spoken, and my soul was comforted. The whirlwind of questions raging in my mind grew still as my Savior whispered, “You are loved. You are safe. I am with you.” Blessed peace returned, and finally I could sing, “It is well with my soul.”
The peace snatchers fled at the sound of three precious words from Jesus: “Peace, be still.” My eyes turned to the One who holds full control over the very air I breathe. The raging storm around me lost its power, and nothing mattered more than listening to His voice. I replayed His words like a treasured song, again and again in my mind. And peace returned.
What words have stolen your peace? What thoughts, attitudes, or false beliefs have replaced your peace with fear? May the still small voice of our Lord replace the calamity within you with calmness as you hear His precious words, “Peace, be still.”
Bio-Please use as much or as little of this information as you need:
Dawn Ward is an author, speaker, Bible teacher, and a certified biblical life coach. She is the
founder of The Faith to Flourish, equipping women of faith to live transformed lives through
inspiring teachings, mentoring, and biblical resources, as well as offering support to women with addicted loved ones. She is married to Steve and mom to three adult children. Her book, From Guilt to Grace: Hope and Healing for Christian Moms of Addicted Children is now available.
Social Media links:
