Have you ever met someone who can really roll with the punches? No matter what life throws his or her way, he still maintains a visible peace and joy. He has a way at looking at the bright side of things. He can always find the silver lining. You often wonder if you could behave half as graciously if you had to deal with his circumstances. Chances are, his inner peace comes from the Lord.
Where do They Find Such Peace?
God has many promises for His believers
- A good plan for your life (Jeremiah 29:11)
- To be with you always (Deuteronomy 31:6-8)
- To love you for who you are (Psalm 139:1-6, 13-16)
- Salvation (John 3:16)
- To hear your prayers (Jeremiah 29:12-13)
- Forgiveness (Colossians 1:14)
- Oneness with Christ (Ephesians 2:14-18)
Peace comes from knowledge of His promises and faith that he will uphold them. When a believer experiences a setback, he remembers that God has a plan and that plan is good. He trusts that God will see the plan through to its end. When he makes a mistake and feels unworthy, he remembers that God promises to forgive us and love us no matter what.
When he feels the chaos of the world closing in around him, he remembers that God is with him but also offers a heavenly world to come. A man at peace does not place his hope and faith in this world, but the next. God’s promises provide internal peace. The prophet Isaiah tells us, “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You” (Isaiah 26:3).
How do I Find Such Peace?
Study His word. Talk to Him. Even a lifelong Christian can use some reminders of all the wonderful things God has planned and promised for those who follow Him.
- The Bible shows us how He has worked in our lives throughout history.
- Prayer and reflection open our eyes to how He has continued to work in our own modern-day lives. Sometimes it is only in hindsight that we understand how God has been working all along. Paul, for example, recognized that even his imprisonment provided opportunities to further the Gospel with his guards and model courage to fellow believers (Philippians 1:12-14).
- The Gospels and the rest of the New Testament present His promise to continue to work in our lives through the days to come. Jesus tells us that He will come again and that all believers will rest with Him in heaven.
Prayer
God of Peace,
Thank you for the comfort I find in your presence. Your promises are good and true. I don’t need to be afraid of what lies before me. You go ahead of me and make a way for me. You watch over me. You know my every thought before I even utter a word. You hear my prayers and You answer them in a way that only an all-knowing God could do.
I know I am a sinner, yet you sent Your son to be the Prince of Peace. I no longer fear sin or death. I know I am saved. Jesus grants eternal life for me through faith. I find peace in His sacrifice. Help me to remember this promise of peace in all I face.
In Jesus’ name I pray,