Everyone needs quiet peace which allows them to enjoy life and relationships. “Peace of mind” can be defined as rest of mental anxiety – not always “working things out”. Peace in our heart is something different. It is rest of soul in relationships and emotions. The quality of heart and mind that makes everything else OK. A basic soundness of life – wholeness – everything is in its proper place. Not something you have or do but something you ARE. Doesn’t that sound amazing?
It seems like we talk a lot about peace. It truly is the relentless pursuit of what seems just out of our reach. Just when we get what we think will bring us peace, peace flies out of our grasp and in the direction of the next thing we think we need. What will bring you peace? Financial security? Healing from a chronic health issue? Having a specific spouse, boyfriend, or girlfriend? The perfect car, or house, in the perfect neighborhood? Maybe it’s all the pretty things around you. Whatever it is that we think will finally bring us peace, if it isn’t God, we will be running our whole lives trying to catch it.
Peace is not a goal of life but a fruit of the spirit according to Galatians 5:22: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness… Peace is a gift possession based on what Jesus did – not on what we do or achieve. It is a direct result of having a right relationship with God through Jesus Christ. This peace is a special peace:
It Guards Our Hearts- And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
It Rules Our Heart - And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful
It is Not the Peace the World Gives- 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.
He offers us a different peace than the world gives because what the world offers is not peace at all but a cunning imposter to peace. It seems like peace but is quite the opposite. Like a morsel of food to a starving animal, the worldly peace we chase only leaves us longing for something else. The peace He gives satisfies, forever. It drowns out the trouble of this world and overcomes all fear. Sin, fear, uncertainty; doubt, and numerous other forces are at war within us. The peace of God moves into our heart and life to restrain these hostile forces and offer comfort in place of conflict. Jesus says He will give us that peace if we are willing to accept it from Him.
Peace is resting in God's sovereignty. The result of the Holy Spirit's work in our life is deep and lasting peace. Unlike worldly peace, which is usually defined as the absence of conflict, this peace is confident assurance in any circumstance. With Christ's peace we have no need to fear the present or the future. If your life is full of stress, allow the Holy Spirit to fill you with Christ's peace.
