Peace is freedom from all disturbances. Peace is a calm assurance despite the circumstances we face. Tranquility permeates our inner man when we are at peace. Serenity fills the gaps gouged out by adversity. A state of peace forces anxiety to flee and commands worry to retreat. God is our peace.
“For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.”
Ephesians 2:14-16 (NKJV)
Most of us find peace in the things we see and understand. However, the real challenge for us all is to find peace beyond what see, know, and feel. This comes through faith. God speaks of a peace that transcends all understanding. It is a peace that fills us, imparting grace and assurances that all is well, even though the world around us is broken. It is an inexplicable peace. It is as mysterious as God Himself. Put your trust in this wonderful peace.
“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV)
With faith, we have an avenue to the heavenly Father. And since our God gives good gifts, we can certainly agree that a state of peace is a most excellent gift. But having this supernatural peace does not mean pain is absent from the equation. No, dear one, pain and suffering are often the milestones that usher us into the peace of Christ. When we have the peace of God within us, we are able to face the darkest and most turbulent of storms.
“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.” Colossians 3:15 (NKJV)
What a victory we have if calamity strikes and we are able to calmly move through our situation while singing His praises and blessing His name. The lost will watch us in perplexity, desiring what we have but befuddled and bewildered by the apparent paradox of the situation. Our witness of faith will glorify God.
Through loss there is gain. Always. Nothing is removed without some sort of profit. When adversity hits, we gain His strength and a supernatural peace.
“Peter answered Him, ‘We have left everything to follow You! What then will there be for us?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or fathers or mother or wife or children or fields for My sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.’” Matthew 19:27-29 (NKJV)
Some of us strive to find inner peace in a constant and never-changing world, but this is folly. Things are continually changing. Nothing stays the same, except for God. He is constant. It is in Him that we must find our peace, for He is invariable.
“God is not human, that He should lie, not a human being, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?” Numbers 23:19 (NKJV)
Events that shock and knock us down are real opportunities for spiritual growth. With calamity, we can either rant and fester in self-pity, or trust in God’s character and deepen our relationship with Him.
We might not like all the twists and turns God leads us to, and His plan for our lives might not be what we expected. But, if we trust in His promises, His love, His faithfulness, and His character, we will excel in our spiritual race and move through our earthly reality.
Put your trust in the peace that transcends all understanding. God is our peace. With Him by our side, we can be fearless when adversity strikes. We can rest in His grace and advance with a peaceful countenance.
“Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.” Psalm 27:3 (NIV)