“How much would you pay for peace?”
This question appears often in news stories and cultural commentary, revealing just how desperate people are for inner calm. A recent article observed that despite more resources than ever, “people report feeling more anxious and less at peace than any previous generation.” (The New York Times) Another report noted that Americans are willing to spend astonishing amounts simply for a brief escape from stress, concluding that “the average person would pay thousands of dollars for a single day of real peace and quiet.” (The Georgia Sun) These headlines expose a powerful truth:
The world is trying desperately to buy something that cannot be purchased.
Many clients come into my office burdened with overwhelming problems. They believe that if they can just solve the legal issue, fix the relationship, or win the case, peace will follow. But no amount of money they spend on their situation will ever buy true peace. Their turmoil often becomes an open door for sharing the gift of salvation and the personal peace that is possible when walking with Jesus. He alone is the Prince of Peace.
“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given… and His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6
Nothing in the world can buy lasting peace because—God isn’t for sale.
If we want peace from the Prince of Peace, He must be the King of our desires. He must become our most important reason for living. His glory must be the motive and motivation for everything we do. The Bible gives a simple but powerful formula for experiencing peace for those who have been born again:
“The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:9
Peace is not something we purchase; it is something we practice.
Putting God’s Word into action—that is, living in loving obedience—places us squarely within the presence of the “God of peace.” That means we must make time to read and study Scripture. We must spend time in prayer. We must be strongly connected to a local church. We must intentionally build our lives around God’s priorities instead of our own.
Our peace grows as God’s presence permeates every area of our life.
The deeper I go in my relationship with God, the more I walk what I call the “path of peace.” His peace becomes a faithful gauge for knowing when I have stepped outside His plan. When my thoughts are centered on Him, I am filled with calm and confidence. When my mind drifts toward fear, control, or self-reliance, my peace quickly fades. Are you looking for peace? Jesus never suffers from a lack of peace. We don’t either when our minds are steadfastly fixed on Him. Scripture promises,
“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for in YAH, the Lord, is everlasting strength.” Isaiah 26:3–4
Real peace has a price—but it is not paid with money. The price is the surrender of our heart.
Our heart is the price for God’s peace to reign in every area of our life. He has given us the ability to have His mind and His attitudes. And—He isn’t asking us to give Him anything that He hasn’t already given to us. Jesus gave His life so that we could live in peace WITH God and experience the peace OF God. When we yield our worries, plans, and fears to Him, we discover that the peace we have been trying to buy was already purchased for us. Our peace was purchased at a great price. Jesus paid it all.
When we simply place King Jesus on the throne in every room of our heart—He fills us with His peace.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You that true peace cannot be bought, earned, or manufactured—it is found only in You. Forgive me for the times I have searched for peace in success, solutions, or circumstances instead of in Your presence. Teach me to keep my mind fixed on You. Help me to surrender my worries and my plans into Your faithful hands. Guard my thoughts, guide my steps, and draw me deeper into a life centered on You. I choose today to trust You fully and to walk the path of peace that comes from knowing You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
