PEACE: What is it?

When the trouble of life pounds away at us and floods us with pain, confusion, and despair—MUST we LOSE our peace? When deadlines, angry people, failure, unfairness, loneliness, and heartbreaking trials produce fear and anxiety—MUST we allow these circumstances to continue to steal our peace? “Must” means “we’re obliged to do something,” right? I mean, I doubt any of us like to admit we are CHOOSING anxiety over peace!

So do we have a choice about having peace in ALL circumstances, or are there times that are just so tough that we MUST just live without it?

First, we must begin this inquiry by asking “What is “peace” according to God’s Word?” The secular definition of “peace” is typically something like “the absence of conflict or trouble.” But is that how Jesus defined it? Jesus told the disciples, right before He was about to be crucified and endure unimaginable suffering:

“These things I have spoken to you, that IN ME you may have peace. In the world you WILL have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33

‭‭Since Jesus was about to endure unimaginable suffering, the peace He was describing was obviously NOT “the absence of trouble.” The clue to the peace He offers is in the words “in Me.” In fact, Jesus earlier told His disciples:

“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

I see two monumental points in what Jesus was teaching us about HIS peace. First, Jesus’ definition of peace. We know He wasn’t describing His peace as “the absence of trouble,” because He said “in this world you WILL have tribulation.” What is HIS definition of peace then? Well, when he says, “Let not your hearts be TROUBLED neither let them be AFRAID,” it would seem that His definition of peace would be something along the lines of…

“rest and a sense of calm which exists in spite of trouble.” 

To have peace in the midst of agonizing pain, disease, heartbreak, sorrow…or whatever horrors of this WORLD the enemy dishes out…means it must be peace from a supernatural source. Because God is a Spirit, it makes sense that His peace would be supernatural. This is exactly right.

This raises a second important concept which may be gleaned from the words of Jesus: His peace is a GIFT that exists within Himself. In other words, it is not manufactured by us, and it must come from HIM. His two statements: “MY peace I GIVE to you;” and, “IN ME you may have peace” are mind-blowing revelations!

We are incapable of manufacturing God’s supernatural peace!!! 

Wow—that should get our mind rolling! How much effort do we spend to find peace—without God? We spend time and money choosing to—drink, get lost in the mountains, take drugs, have sex, indulge in endless entertainment, get medicated or meditate or…, you name it. But think about it—as soon as we come off the high, go back to the valley, get out of our zen…, is the “peace” still there? Not for long. God offers a long-lasting peace!

So that leads us to the next logical question and that is, “How do we enter into the experience of this extraordinary, supernatural peace of Jesus?”

This is the subject of tomorrow’s devotional. In the meantime, I’ll ask you to think about these questions: 

1. What gives you the most peace? 
2. How long does it last?
3. Do you wish it would last longer?

We would love to hear your thoughts about this devotional. Did God speak to you or challenge your daily walk with him? Or is there a topic that you would like Kimberly to cover or expound on? Please share with us in the comments below.

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