The Power of Real Peace
Did you know that anxiety disorders are the most common mental disorder in the world? In 2019, there were over 300 million people who reported struggling with anxiety, and the number is increasing steadily by the year.
It would seem that in our day, when abundance is commonplace and we lack for nothing, we would have fewer anxieties and fears. However, the opposite is true.
The world's cares can choke out our peace and leave us exhausted. The more we have, the more concerns we have.
Humans long for peace. We were made to live in peace with the Prince of Peace, but we lost this when sin entered.
We've been searching for it ever since.
It was and is customary for the Jewish people to leave one another with an offer of "Shalom," or peace. In John 14, Jesus tells His disciples that he isn't just leaving them with a word that wishes peace upon them but with the power to give them actual peace.
This gift of peace isn't just a nice thought—it's a person. When Jesus left the Earth, He gave the gift of His Holy Spirit.
One of the Holy Spirit's other names is the Comforter. Jesus could no longer comfort his people in person, so His comfort would come through His likeness in the Spirit.
Indeed, the peace of God differs significantly from the world's peace. The peace provided through the Spirit is vastly superior and has one key distinction from the world’s peace: the world's peace pacifies, but it does not rule.
Jesus knew our propensity to seek peace everywhere except Him because humanity has done this since the beginning. So, He let his disciples know He gave them peace, not as the world gives— fleeting, passing, and superficial—but permanent, stable, and genuine.
We are told in Colossians to "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts..." (Colossians 3:14). Peace is often misunderstood as weak or timid, but this isn't the case at all. True peace—God's peace—comes with a mighty sword, the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17). The peace we have in Jesus Christ is not just a nice idea; it's a living, breathing power that dwells within us.
Friend, if you know Jesus Christ as your Savior, you only need to give your cares to Him and let the peace He has already provided rule in your heart. Remember, this peace is not timid or weak; it is your most powerful tool.
Questions for Reflection:
1. In what area of your life do you lack peace? Ask Jesus to help you surrender this to Him and to let His peace reign in your heart.
2. Which scriptures and character traits of God can you hold onto when you need a reminder of the peace He has provided you? Memorize at least one of these for times when you are struggling.
