Peace of God
By Valerie Garner
I found some definitions in several dictionaries that
are quite interesting on peace: a state of
reconciliation after strife, tranquil,
completeness, soundness, well being.
If we're honest to ourselves, isn't that what we're
all really searching for? Peace. True peace. Think
about when we are craving and feeling like we need a
vacation, isn't what's underneath, really a longing
for peace? I think we've all probably been on
vacations where we return even more exhausted and
stressed out than when we left. A vacation doesn't
mean peace will come.
In those stressful times when we feel like we just
need a break, could it be that we are really looking
for peace? What about when we awake in the middle of
the night and can't sleep, what are our thoughts then?
Isn't the cry of our heart really to find peace? When
we feel tired, too much to do in too little time; when
we can't even find time to think, isn't it really peace
we long for?
I don't know what it's like in other parts of the
world, but I do know that here in the U.S., we live
(generally) a life filled with way too much. We have
too many commitments, too much to do, and we live a
very un-natural pace. A very unhealthy pace I believe.
At times it feels as if we live in slavery to our
schedules. It seems as though every minute of our
day is dictated to us, with very little choice. I
don't believe it's supposed to be this way, and I
believe there's a way out. If you can relate to this,
maybe I can offer some hope.
In Isaiah 9:6, Jesus is called the Prince of Peace.
In Psalms 29:11, it promises that, "God gives
strength, and blesses His people with peace." In
Isaiah 26:3 another promise is, "He will keep him in
perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he
trusts in thee."
As we focus and think about Jesus Christ, He will put
us in peace. Also in Philippians 4:7, "And the peace
of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep
your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
This kind of peace is NOT an emotion or feeling, but a
spiritual force that comes only from Jesus (Colossians
1:20 "and having made peace through the blood of his
cross, by him to reconcile ALL things unto himself..."
One moment in particular, I experienced this kind of
peace when my husband of 13 years left me basically
for another woman. I was left to be a single mom of 2
boys with no job, and no education (I chose to be a
stay at home mom). We were poor even with my husband's
income, and I had no family to help. I was alone.
I didn't know if I could make it. If any of you have
experienced this, you will relate to the devastation
that comes.
The night he packed his bags to move out, as soon as
he shut the door behind him, I felt my very soul begin
to shatter. There are simply no words for the
devastation I was experiencing. I ran to the phone
(before I collapsed), and called my best friend and
asked her to come and be with me for a little while.
It would take her 20 minutes at least. I sat down and
greatly feared this moment that was upon me. To my
great surprise, I literally felt the peace of God (and
His love) fall upon me, there are no words to describe
what this feels like, except it's the most wonderful
feeling you will ever experience.
By the time my friend arrived, I was truly at
perfect peace. It was so strong, she even felt and
sensed it, it was that tangible. We actually (and
this is a miracle) had some tea, and had some laughs.
I had times that I slipped from His peace, but when I
turned again to Him for help, it was there for me. I
found for the most part God carried me through that
very difficult time, and guided my life's choices by
His peace. Ultimately, we did reconcile. This type
of peace is not based on circumstances. I had some
of the most precious times in my life from this place
of peace. I really desire to live my whole life,
from this place of His peace.
The old hymn called "It is well with my soul" was
written by a man in a ship, crossing the Atlantic and
stopping at the exact place where (I believe) 5 of his
children had just drowned. He could sing with his
whole heart in that moment of devastation "It is well
with my soul".
That is the peace of God.
Sometimes God speaks (He created the world into
existence by speaking) to calm the storm (Mark 4:39),
and sometimes He speaks peace to calm His people.
1 Corinthians 14:33 states, "For God is not the
author of confusion, but of peace..." This kind of
peace, drives out confusion.
What's really special is that God WANTS to give this
peace to anybody who wants to receive it. It is an
open invitation to ALL. It was for this reason that
God sent His only son, Jesus Christ to atone for our
sins on the cross. This reconciles us to Him, becoming
that bridge to God where we can then receive His peace
and forgiveness. When I received Jesus and came into
this peace for the first time, it felt like "coming home."
I also had the feeling like, "This is what I've been
looking for my WHOLE life, but could never put my finger
on." What an immense burden lifted off to KNOW I finally
was at peace with God.
This is a very simple thing to do if you wish to
receive His love, peace, life eternal and all that He
has. I'm going to tell you how because nobody ever
told me and it caused me to search for years to find
that part out. It's just offering up a simple prayer
from an honest heart (you can pray this alone, and say
it in your own words, but here's the gist of it),
"Jesus, I want to know you are real, I want to come
into peace with you and my Heavenly Father, please
forgive all my sins I've ever committed against you, I
want to be clean and made whole. I need Your love and
peace in my life. I receive what you did for me.
Thank you. Amen."
As I close this, I would like to leave you with a few
more words of Christ, John 14:27 "Peace I leave with
you, my peace I give unto you, not as the world gives,
give I unto you, Let not your heart be troubled,
neither let it be afraid."
Lastly in 2 Thessalonians 3:16 "Now the Lord of peace
himself give you peace always by all means, The Lord
be with you all."
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