Peace is a word we hear a lot. But it can be harder to find than the world makes it sound. True, lasting peace isn't found in music, movies, food, or even our friends. Let's look at what peace is, where peace is found, what the benefit of peace is, and what it looks like to live a life of peace:
Some other words for peace would be calmness, quietness, and tranquility. The opposite of peace is conflict, confusion, irritation, and overwhelmed. Peace is a calm and quiet in the soul, even when the world around you is a raging storm. Peace keeps us from anxiety and fear and helps us to be still.
Source of Peace:
Where can we find peace?
Peace is found in God. God gives peace; it is a blessing from His hand. When we hand over all our worries to Him, He gives us peace. (Phil. 4:6-7) True lasting peace comes from God. (Lv. 26:6, Num. 6:26, Is. 26:3, Is. 66:12, Jn. 14:27) God is our peace. We have to choose to allow the peace God gives us to reign in our hearts. We must rest in His peace, and not allow worry and anxiety to take over. Colossians 3:15 says, "And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts . . ."
Peace is found in Jesus. In John 14:27 and 16:33 Jesus tells His disciples that peace is found in Him. He gives His followers peace, and we can find peace in Him! Jesus is the Prince of Peace. (Is. 9:6) He has brought peace to everyone that believes upon His name! Zechariah 9:9-10 prophecies that the Messiah, the King, would come and that He would "speak peace". In Ephesians 2:17 we read that Jesus came and "preached peace" to both the Gentiles and the Jews. Earlier in verse 14, we read that "He Himself is our peace." In Luke 1:79 and 2:14 we read how Jesus, thru His incarnation, has brought us peace. That is one reason why we can celebrate peace during Advent! Jesus guides us into peace (Lk. 1:79)! Colossians 1:20 reminds us that peace is found in the blood of Christ! We have peace (NOT conflict) with God thru the blood of Jesus. Romans 5:1 says, "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Because Jesus credits His righteousness to us (that's what justification is) we can have peace with God. Peace is found in the Messiah, the Prince of Peace.
Peace is found in trust. When we choose to give control of our lives to God, and trust Him with the workings of our lives, we can find peace. When we lean on our own understanding, and try to take control for ourselves, we only wind up being confused, overwhelmed, angry, and disappointed. Instead, we should trust God with our lives and turn to Him for direction. We should seek His direction in every decision that we make! Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths." Isaiah 26:3 "You keep Him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You." Fix your mind on God; trust Him with your life. Find peace knowing God is sovereign. Even if things don't go your way, God is in control, and great peace comes with knowing that!
Peace is found in surrender. We have to surrender along with trust. If we want to truly trust God with our lives, that means we need to surrender our lives to His will. We must surrender our lives, our thoughts, our bodies, our possessions, our dreams and desires, our goals, our everything to God! Surrender is hard. It takes strength and humility. But if you surrender to the Creator of the universe, trust me, you will NEVER regret it! Instead, you will find incredible freedom and peace!
Peace is found in assurance. When we assure ourselves of the love God has for us, we can quiet our souls. We can "be still and know that [He] is God." If you need to be convinced of God's love for His people, read 1 John 4:9-10 or Romans 8:32. All you have to do is look to the cross, and you will know God's love for you! God sent His beloved, holy, and only Son to die in place of you! To take your place, pay your debt, and be the substitute (or, propitiation) for your sins! This is how God's love was made "manifest" (1 Jn. 4:9) Manifest means "obvious" or "clear". So God makes His love obvious to us in that He sent Christ to die for us! And, if God was willing to do that for us, even though we are so undeserving, than how much more will He care for every detail of your life! For more on this see Matthew 6:24-24, & 10:29-31. Find peace in the gospel. (If you've never heard the Gospel- good news- before, or if you have questions about it, check out my post about the seriousness of sin and the hope of the Gospel. It explains the Gospel in more depth. Click HERE!) Find lasting peace in the assurance of your salvation and the love God has for you. He is faithful.
Peace is found in righteousness. (Psalm 85:10, Psalm 119:165, Isaiah 32:17, Romans 5:1, Hebrews 12:11, James 3:18) Righteousness is God's goodness; therefore, we find peace in the goodness of God. God is good. (See my post on this by clicking HERE!) We can rest in that. We should also pursue righteousness, which means we should try and imitate God's goodness. When we are walking in God's ways, we can have peace knowing that it is pleasing to Him. Also, if you are saved, that means you have been justified. Being justified means that God credits Jesus' righteousness (holiness and goodness) to you and looks on you as if you have never sinned! Wow! If God credits His righteousness to us, than He must give us His peace since righteousness and peace go hand in hand! Rest in that. And if you have not been justified, repent and put your faith in God! He will then grant you incredible peace. (That doesn't mean that walking with God is always easy, but that when it is hard God is with us and helps us to be at peace with our circumstances.)
Benefit of Peace:
Why do we need peace?
Peace gives us the following:
- Calmness in hardships and sufferings
- A heart that seeks direction from God for our lives instead of taking control for ourselves
- A mind not worrying and being anxious about anything
- Abundant gratitude
- Righteousness
- Security in our soul
- Quietness in our soul
- No conflict with God
I don't know about you, but I would love all of those things! Wouldn't you? That is the benefits of peace!
A Life of Peace:
What does it look like for someone to live a life of peace?
It looks like trusting God with every area of your life, and surrendering every dream and desire to Him. It looks like praying and seeking God instead of obsessing over life's problems. It looks like not blowing up in anger or complaining when you are in the middle of a hardship. It looks like constantly pursuing peace and taking action. It looks like living in peace and harmony with others, and not conflict.
May you find peace in God and live a life of peace!
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