PEACE
Webster defines peace:
Noun
a state of tranquility or quiet; freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions; harmony in personal relations; used interjectionally to ask for silence or calm or as a greeting or farewell
Galatians 5:22-23 NKJV
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such there is no law.
When we think of peace, generally we think of the absence of conflict or controversy. We think of a world without war, without arguments, or fighting. We think of peace as everything is just right: no issues with the kids, no issues with bills, no issues with your family or spouse. A point in your life when everything is perfect. Cuba Gooding Jr’s character in the film, “Jerry McGuire” called it “Quan”. We think of tranquility within oneself when everything around us is in “perfect” working order.
Peace with God
The peace that is talked about here is not natural but supernatural in origin. This peace comes from a state of rest in a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Peace is not the absence of conflict but the presence of God through any type of adversity. This peace has been made available to us by what Christ did for us at the cross. Without Him, we deserve nothing.
Romans 5:1-2 NKJV
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we havepeace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
The peace in resting with God allows us to remain calm in situations that someone who does not have this peace would find to be very intense or nerve-wracking. Not trusting in God and trying to “fix” things ourselves without the guidance of the Holy Spirit (whom when we seek, we find peace) will allow chaos to enter our lives and everything is out of order. When you have the peace of the Lord everything will fall into place and is in order. We may not understand why things are the way they are at the moment but the peace of God gives us ease.
Peace within ourselves
When we have peace in our heart from God we can remain calm through any situation. We can do this because we consciously and subconsciously know that God is in control. We know He knows what we need; we only have to ask!
Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Having peace in our heart will guard our mind through Jesus Christ. It will guard against disappointment; it will guard against worry; it will guard against heartache; it will guard against grief. There is a supernatural transformation that happens in you once you take this peace in. This goes beyond the natural understanding. Do we really have to understand it…NO! Philippians 4:7 “The peace of God which (passes) transcends all understanding.”; but you know when you have when you can endure through troubling times.
Once you have this peace, it stays with you given by God through his Word by way of the Holy Spirit. It is not temporary only for times of distress; but a part of your daily state of mind.
II Thessalonians 3:16
16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.
As I have studied this subject I came across a sermon by Eldon Reich on peace here is an excerpt from it:
" One of the great hymns of faith we sing was written by a man who was a successful attorney in Chicago, the father of five children; an active member of a Presbyterian church. His successful life suddenly turned to disaster without warning his only son died. Then in the Chicago fire he lost all his real estate investments. He decided to take his family to Europe to lift their spirits and assist Dwight L. Moody in his evangelistic campaign. He sent his wife and four daughters ahead by ship. Halfway across the Atlantic their ship was struck by an English ship and sank in 12 minutes. Tanetta, Maggie, Annie and Bessie drowned in the watery grave. Miraculously Mrs. Spafford was saved.When Horactio was standing on the ship carrying him to rejoin his sorrowing wife in Wales. The ship passed the approximate place where his precious daughters had drowned. Overwhelmed in his grief he took out a legal pad and wrote:
“When sorrow s like sea billows roll,
whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, it is well, it is well, with my soul.”
That is a peace within that passes all understanding.
Only God can give it to sustain us, to keep us in the midst of the storm.”
This man reminded me of Job so much. When I read this story, I had to sit back and wonder could I have done the same thing. We must get to this point in our thinking. We must trust in all God allows to happen in our lives.
Having peace in the Lord within ourselves is a supernatural occurrence. The world will not understand it…we may not understand it; but when you have it you are able to weather any storm; face any midnight; maintain through all sorrow because the peace of the Lord is resting in you.
Peace with one another
Having the peace of the Holy Spirit will change us but, we must do our part too:
Inspired by Elder Reich’s sermon:
Plan your action
Sometimes we can do or say something that will cause a whole lot of unnecessary drama. Speak to and treat others the way you want to be treated. Even when they don’t…
Empathize with other’s feelings
If conflict sparks up (this is important in a marriage) put yourself in the other’s shoes. Try to understand what or why they are upset. Take yourself and the way you feel out of the equation and try to feel what they feel for better understanding Even when they don’t
Attack the problem not the person
Pointing fingers get no one anywhere fast. Pointing out faults will only bring more confusion….and our God of is not a god of confusion but the of peace:
1 Corinthians 14:33
33 For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.
Speak to one another in love and understanding; thereby pursuing the issue and working in Christ together for a solution.
Corporate as much as possible
Work with one another! Compromise! Come together on one accord to allow God to enter
Matthew 18:20Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)
20 For wherever two or three are gathered (drawn together as My followers) in (into) My name, there I Am in the midst of them.
Encourage reconciliation not resolution
We are not going to agree on EVERYTHING! It is more important to heal the rift that the disarray has caused rather than deciding who is right or wrong.
Seek the peace of the Holy Spirit. It will guard and quiet your mind, your heart, and your spirit through any hardship. It will give you a better understanding of being in the presence of God in the middle of chaos. It will allow you to have better relationships with friends, coworkers, children, family, your wife, or husband. In seeking peace and finding it, you will be fashioning yourself for longsuffering.
Lord we ask for your peace. Let it reside in hearts to give us comfort. Replace worry, confusion and stress with the peace that surpasses understanding. Lord let us be a conduit of peace for those who have sunk into sorrow. Use us as a tool to deliver your perfect peace. Allow the peace of the Holy Spirit take residence in our hearts working toward the edification of the body of Christ. In Jesus name Amen.