‘Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.’ Philippians 4:6-9(NLT)
‘Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all.’ 2 Thessalonians 3:16(NLT)
‘I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”’ John 16:33(NLT)
‘But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. “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 14:26-27(NLT)
‘For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.’ Isaiah 9:6(NLT)
In the troubled world we live in, peace or the feeling of it seems hidden. Isn’t it funny, we think we are content people but take away our comfort level and familiar routine and we go into panic mode quickly! Everyone has been challenged in this area.
The Bible teaches us that God grows our character through testing and hardship so I wonder what it looks like to Him when we get frustrated over major disruptions or interruptions to our “normal.”
How do you find peace in those scenarios that leave you feeling aggravated and anxious? Can we really claim to have peace, only to watch it dissolve because our expectations are met with uncertainty and ambiguity?
Peace can start small and grow. If anyone has a true reason to be discontent with life it would have been Paul, the apostle. Not only was he beaten and ran out of town several times, God re-directed his missionary journey by sending him to a very remote island named Malta with a tribe of savages. However, God used his precarious situation for the good. Paul had peace and hosted his own island revival!
I’ve learned that having a peaceful mind is a perspective we overlook when we’re feeling anxious. When I read all the controversy Paul endured, I can honestly say I’ve not experienced extreme difficulty like he did. The peace Paul experienced was in his perspective of his circumstances. Paul, spent a lot of time in high stress plus he made friends with disappointment. From shore to shipwreck and chains to prison cells, in each encounter, he used peace like a weapon.
As we’re deeply rooted in Christ, we can experience the same kind of peace. By putting our trust and faith in God alone, we are able to endure any situation no matter how painful or difficult it may be. We are granted perfect peace in whatever life throws at us.
Peace is Christ’s presence. His plans for us are not based on how good life treats us. His presence gives peace and removes every fear and all anxiety. So when life becomes a circus, or peace seems hidden, keep the habit of prayer a priority and put your concerns into God’s hands. His peace guards you and keeps you in peace. Seek God, for the Prince of Peace is in you.
Janelle Keith
from The Peace Habit by Janelle Keith & Lori Clapper