What is your response to the current events surrounding your family, your community, your country? Do they tempt you to fear, be anxious, or worry? Or do they help you develop a deeper abiding peace? (Have you considered this third option?) Many people fail to link difficulties such as crime, injustice, terrorism, and an economic downfall with peace. However, in the midst of the greatest challenges we will ever face is our precious Lord Jesus and His peace.
Look at the beautiful words spoken by Jesus in John 14:27: “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.”
The world can pretend by offering imitation peace, but it will never be able to provide eternal, abiding peace. Genuine peace can only be found in Jesus. The results of depending on Jesus for our peace is the experience of an untroubled heart and a life absent of fear. Do you have that kind of peace?
In John 16:33 Jesus said: “In Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” Do you recognize the personal choice to experience peace presented in this verse? Jesus is telling us that it is definite—we will (not we may) have tribulation during our lifetime. Jesus also conveys the truth that through an abiding relationship with Him we may experience peace. We can experience such peace despite the issues of this world because Jesus Christ overcame sin and death on the cross over 2000 years ago. This means that, as Christ-followers, we should take heart when faced with adversity and choose to abide in His peace.
Romans 8:6 puts it this way: For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. Those who set their minds on Jesus, His provision and His purpose will experience His indwelling life and peace. On the other hand, those who set their minds on the flesh, or self, will dwell on personal circumstances; resulting in a disconnect, or separation from God.
Do you desire to experience Jesus’ abiding peace? What practical steps will you take today to experience His peace?
