"I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid." -John 14:27 NLT

Trent Dilfer was the sixth overall pick in the 1994 NFL Draft to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He played college football at Fresno State University. Dilfer played 14 years as a NFL quarterback. The one-time pro bowler played for various teams such as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Seattle Seahawks, Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers. Most notably, he is known for winning the Super Bowl as the starting quarterback with the Baltimore Ravens in 2000. After Dilfer’s retirement in 2008, he began working for ESPN as an NFL analyst until 2017. Currently, he is the Head Football Coach for the UAB Football Program.

In 2003, Dilfer faced what would arguably be one of the most difficult occurrences of his life. He and his family were on a summer vacation at Disneyland where his 5-year-old son, Trevin got a cold. Under normal circumstances, this would not be of much concern. But in this situation, Trevin’s cold did not pass. He began to have a lack of energy and his skin color began to change. Dilfer and his family took him to the emergency room later to find out that his heart was failing. Trevin would require a heart/lung bypass. Thankfully, there was one nurse who was able to keep Trevin’s heart pumping enough to put a heart-lung bypass machine on him. Trevin needed to be cared for at Stanford’s Children’s Hospital which was 2 1/2 hours away and there was no way for the previous hospital to transport him. Through God’s protection and grace, a friend of Trent’s was able to drive them 200 miles to Stanford. While at the Children’s Hospital, Trevin was on the heart-lung bypass machine for 40 days, but he grew weaker and was eventually taken off of life support. On April 27, 2003, Trevin Dilfer passed away. 

After Trevin’s death, Trent Dilfer experienced peace that others couldn’t understand. Most people would be overtaken with sadness after the death of a child. But that is who God is and that is what He does, even in your toughest moments of life. Only He can comfort you with His peace.

When you are going through unimaginably difficult circumstances, the best answer is to draw close to God. When you pray and read the word of God, He will speak to you and provide clarity on the questions that you may have. Be prepared and open your heart to what God has to say to you. It may not be what you want to hear, but it’s always important and what you need. In addition, it is important to be quiet after speaking to God so that you can hear His response. Always remember that God speaks in a quiet, still voice. Only then, is He able to take the anxiety away and give you an unexplainable peace through The Holy Spirit that is unexplainable. Those who don’t believe in Jesus (and some who claim to be Christians) won’t understand the peace that God has given you. They will wonder, “How are you walking around like nothing happened; like you didn’t lose a loved one? Or “How are walking around like you didn’t lose a job or like your boyfriend or girlfriend didn’t break up with you?” There are also people who may know the situation that you are facing and will admire you for how you handle it. Always remember to allow the light of Jesus Christ to shine through you for others to know Him. Draw close to God in prayer and through the Bible not only during the trying times but daily. These things will help you to endure and overcome whatever trial or tribulation you face.

It is also important during those trying times of loss to avoid toxic people. This only brings about negativity. As a result, if you are not spiritually strong, you will begin to be negative and increasingly live in ways that don’t honor God. Always remember that you are who you hang around.

Jesus is the Prince of Peace who gives peace of mind and heart that no human or situation can offer. Seek Him, lean on Him, trust Him, and watch what He can do in your life. You may feel down and you may be crying, but it won’t last always. Like Psalms 30:5 says, “Joy will come in the morning.”

Christ offers peace in every situation

Psalms 34:18 
Philippians 4:6-7 
1 Peter 5:7
Matthew 11:28-29 
John 14:27 
Psalms 30:5