Whatever side of the political spectrum you choose, you’d have to agree: our nation is divided. One doesn’t have to be too keen on politics to feel the tension in the air when certain talking points are publically expressed. Worldviews collide as individuals and groups deliberate and vehemently defend their public policy. The intensity rises when the aftermath of tragedy strikes, as in the recent case of the mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton. Whether it is politicians standing in defense of what they believe to persons sharing their public opinion on Twitter, the angst and turmoil continues to build and rise.
On top of this volatile political climate, we have our own issues to deal with. The relational problems that we have with those we care for, but they do not seem to be on the same page as us. The breakthrough we’ve been waiting for and the pain that remains until the victory has come. The loss we experience as a result of living in a fallen world. The confusion that takes place as one doesn’t know which road to take in the next phase of his or her journey. On top of all this, the thoughts that consume the mind – what to do next, where to go, who to meet – overwhelming to say the least… you feel like your head is going to explode! As a result, lack of sleep haunts those who are overrun by anxiety as to-dos, conversations, and guilt are woven together in a tapestry no one would want to take or bear.
Even in the midst of all this… there is hope. And if this is for you, you can take a deep sigh of relief! Jesus knew we would be facing stress and He has us covered. Here’s what He says about that we are experiencing right now:
“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33
Jesus was certain that we were going to encounter heartache, trials, anxiety, and feel overburdened. Unfortunately, being a Christ follower doesn’t mean that all our problems go away. If it were that easy, wouldn’t everyone ‘love’ God? Everyone would be a Christian! Yet in the midst of our struggles, we have a choice to love Him through it all, knowing that the trials develop us more into maturity, ultimately the character of Christ (James 1:1-4).
On top of that, it’s natural to assume that if our problems were gone, we’d finally have ‘peace.’ This might even be true in the short run, but we know once another issue arises, we’d feel the sting of stress again and again and again. That is why peace is more than external circumstances; it’s an internal position in which we learn to continually rest.
In the midst of what you are going through, it is imperative that you cling to Jesus for true peace. “In Me you will have peace”. Not in wishful thinking that life could be different and ‘being strong’. Not running to other things to satisfy the deep emotional longing. Not even in trusting in someone else to fix it or to avoid it. It’s only through Jesus.
His peace is different because He is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). He created the world, He knows what’s going to happen, and He knows you better than you can ever know yourself. He can’t be shaken, so why not trust Him when the outcome seems bleak and the odds seem impossible?
It’s important to know the character of God, not just so we know who He is like, but so that we can learn to partake of many of those same qualities. So if Jesus is the Prince of Peace, He wants us to also be at peace. If He is always in a restful state, even in the midst of this chaotic world, how much more does He want to give that to us! This is exactly what He wants to do:
Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” – John 14:27
Did you catch that? “My peace I give to you.” This is the whole reason why we have nothing to fear. Why do you think Jesus was able to be asleep on the boat when the wind and the waves were crashing all around Him? He was at peace (Mark 4:35-41; See link) The disciples were the complete opposite – they thought they were going to die! In our old nature, our flesh, the life without walking in the Spirit, we are prone to fret, worry, and feed the negative cycle of thoughts.
Guess what? The old is gone, the new is here! As a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17) we CHOOSE to have the peace Jesus so desires for us to have. “Put on your new nature, created to be like God – righteous and holy” (Ephesians 4:24). We CHOOSE to say ‘yes’ to Jesus in the midst of the storm rather than defaulting back into the old pattern of anxiety and fear. If we have the choice to put something on, that means we have the choice to put it off. Are we going to choose life or death? Faith or fear? Joy or hopelessness?
I’d like you to take time right now to think about all that you are currently going through. First, have you given these things to Jesus or have you been trying to do it in your own strength? Second, I want you to imagine Jesus being in the exact circumstance that you are facing. How would He respond? What type of thoughts do you think are going through His mind regarding this trial? What actions would He take? If you are not sure, try meditating on Colossians 3:1-2[1] and Philippians 4:8, verses that redirect your thoughts towards God instead of what you are facing. By practicing this on a continual basis, you’ll not only be like Jesus, but you’ll also experience the peace that Jesus so willingly wants to give to you today (Philippians 4:9).
Have a blessed week!
[1] We also see the ‘put off’/‘put to death’ and ‘put on’ of the old and new nature in Colossians 3:1-17
While in OR, I have been waking along the canal across from Danielle’s house & I am reminded of the verses in the Bible about peace. The canal is filled with water that rushes over stones & then quietly settles into a peaceful flow. I have observed this & it brings to my mind Jesus giving me peace. I have anxiety which is like the rushing water. Sometimes I feel like I am drowning or I may hit a big rock & be injured but then I come to the peaceful flow where I just float over all that anxiety. I picture Jesus saying “Take my hand & walk w me on this water. Do you trust me to let go of all that anxiety & be free & peaceful?” Some times I picture the rough water & the waterfalls are washing me free of anxiety & bringing me to the peaceful water of Jesus. I have learned a lot from God about His peace on this trip & I find it interesting how you are writing about it too at this time. I am praying when I go home I can carry these thoughts & pictures w me.
Beautiful illustration of how the Lord is meeting you in the midst of your anxiety! I do not think it was a coincidence that the subject of peace came about as the time of this writing… God knows! May He answer your prayers about being the prince of peace wherever you go.
Thank you for the message of peace in a world that can get chaotic. A reminder of God peace is enough to weather the storm we know the light of the Lord guides our path. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil. We have the mind of Christ when we can take the time to quiet our mind and listen for the voice if our heavenly Father, then we find peace. Thank you Lord for the peace and comfort only you can provide.
The clamor of all the voices in the world can make it hard to hear the voice of God. You are correct Toni in that we have to quiet our minds to be in a place to hear what He is saying to us… whether on a national level to our personal circumstances. Just as Jesus was in complete peace when he was on the boat as the storm raged, so we can have access to that same peace, for He is the prince of peace.