A: Shalom! I am sure most of you have heard this word before, but did you know it means “peace” in Hebrew? Do you have peace in your life? How does the Bible say we can have peace? Without getting into my whole testimony, one of the main things I lacked before I gave my life to Christ was peace. When I finally surrendered my life to Christ that night in Oct 1994, the one immediate change that took place was peace. While my life, like most of yours, has had its ups and downs, the inner peace that I got that night has never left me. That is the difference between the peace of God and the peace of the world. The peace of the world is the absence of problems or conflict, but the peace of God is peace in the midst of problems and conflict.

     Jesus tells us in the Bible that peace is found through Him. In (Jn 14:27) He says, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” And again, in (Jn 16:33), “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

     Paul also tells us Jesus is the way to peace in:

(Rom 5:1) Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

(Col 1:20) and, having made peace through the blood of the cross…

     While obviously the most important reason to tell others about Jesus Christ is so that they can have eternal life, to me the next most important reason is so that they can find this peace. The Bible calls it “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding.” I have found this is SO true. I would never have believed this kind of peace could be possible before coming to Christ. How many of us have gone through through things in our lives, and come out much better afterwards? Later on, we see someone else going through what we have already gone through, and we want to convey to them what we have learned, to help them. However, it is nearly impossible to explain it to them. They really just have to experience it for themselves to understand it fully. That is the way it is with the peace of God. It truly IS peace that passes ALL understanding and explanation.

     Why can we have this peace as Christians? I believe the most important reason is because we have assurance of eternal life. No matter what happens to us on this planet, no matter what trial or tribulation we may face, we can rest assured in the fact that one day it will all end, and we will be in Heaven, where there will be no more pain (Rev 21:4), sorrow (Rev 7:17), or evil (Rev 22:3,15).

     Paul gives us two verses to put it in perspective:

(2 Cor 4:17) For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

(Rom 8:18) For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

     In other words, while we may spend 70 or 80 years on Earth facing trials, compared to the 1,000,000,000 years and more in eternity, it truly is a very short time to face trials.

     We also need to understand that no trial can occur to us that God does not allow (1 Pet 3:17). He allows trials for a number of reasons. They help us to lean on God and trust Him more. They help us to comfort others (2 Cor 1:3-7) because we have been there. For Christians, they help us towards our goal to become more and more like Jesus. They also help work patience in us.

     Sometimes, it seems as if the trials will never end. The Bible tells us, however, that God is totally in control (Prov 20:24)(Ps 37:23). His timing on when trials will end is rarely fast enough for us. We often try and make things happen in our own timing, instead of God’s perfect timing. When we try and move ahead of God’s timing, it can steal our peace. We need to trust God’s promises to us. He tells us not to worry (1 Pet 5:6-7)(Ps 55:22)(Phil 4:6-7)(Ps 37:4-5)(Lk 10:41-42)(Ps 145:18-19)(Ps 62:5-8) or fear (2 Tim 1:7)(Rom 8:15)(Isa 41:10,13)(Josh 1:9) (Isa 35:4). God will NEVER leave nor forsake us (Heb 13:5) if we are His children by faith in Jesus Christ (Gal 3:26). He also promises to work ALL things together for good (Rom 8:28). For a great parallel on how we can have peace thru Jesus in the midst of the storm, see (Mk 4:35-41).

     It is very important to understand, as well, who our enemy is.

(Eph 6:12) For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

     This is referring to Satan, and his angels (Mt 25:41), who help him carry out his evil plans.

(1 Pet 5:8) Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.

     Satan seeks to devour us in many ways. He brings fear, worry, doubt, guilt, stress, etc… He seeks to rob our time with God. He seeks to keep us from growing in our walk with the Lord. He knows our weaknesses, and continually attacks us in those areas. We should ALWAYS remember, however, that through Jesus, the victory is already ours! (1 Jn 4:4) Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. We CAN overcome!

(Eph 6:11) Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

     What is the armor of God? (Eph 6:16-17) tells us it is: truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and the word of God. (2 Cor 6:7) tells us the armor of righteousness should be on our right and left hands. This most likely is a parallel to when soldiers would go out to war, they would generally have a shield in one hand and a sword, or other weapon in the other. In other words, we should be both on offense and defense in our battle. Paul tells us in (Rom 13:14) to put on the Lord Jesus Christ. When we are fully clothed in our armor, Satan cannot penetrate it. Do not leave off any piece of armor that will allow an opening for Satan to attack.

     A final thing I believe we need to understand to have peace is knowing that sin in our lives can separate us from a close walk with God and can rob our peace. The Bible clearly tells us that can sin can separate us from God: (1 Pet 3:12)(Jn 9:31)(Isa 59:2)(Prov 15:29)(Isa 1:15). I heard something a while back that stuck with me. Most Christians believe that a non-Christian is the most miserable person in the world, but that is untrue. The most miserable person in the world is a Christian who is out of fellowship with God. 

     I think Jesus gives us a good example of the misery of sin, and its separation from the Father. While Jesus did live a sinless life while on the Earth, it seems clear to me that His worst moment on this planet was not all of the pain and suffering He endured leading up to His death, but rather, it was the moment He was on the cross when the sins of us all were laid upon Him. At that moment, Jesus felt the pain of sin separating Him from the Father, crying, “My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?”

     Is there sin in your life that is separating you from the Father? Is there sin in your life that you are holding on to? Are you trapped in some sin? In order to find complete peace, you must be willing to repent. Confess your sin, forsake it, and go in a new direction with your life, asking God for forgiveness. He can and will forgive if you are sincere in your desire to change. I suggest you make a habit of confessing and seeking forgiveness the moment you sin. This can help keep your fellowship strong. Keep this verse in mind:

(Isa 48:22) There is no peace, saith the Lord, unto the wicked.

     Dear friend, the Bible tells us that peace a fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22). We are told to pursue peace (2 Tim 2:22) and live in peace (2 Cor 13:11). May you find this awesome peace through Jesus Christ. If you do not know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, please see the Jesus Died For You link to see how you can find peace through Him TODAY.

(1 Th 5:23) And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

(Col 3:15) And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

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