John 14:27 NLT
[27] “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”
John 14:27 NIV
[27] “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
Peace of heart and mind? Is this possible in today’s world?
Well, think of the world in which Jesus uttered those words, to a group of men who had tasted what their world had to offer….To sum up, they faced two intolerable oppressors. Roman occupation squashed their personal freedom in their own land. Religious leaders harassed and bullied them into legalistic spiritual bondage. Imprisoned by these oppressors, every day was a minefield of possible consequences.
Jesus knew what it was like to have enemies so intent on killing Him that they used every trick in the book in their efforts to ensnare Him. He had to be sharp to stay one step ahead until the right time came for Him to be “caught”.
How did He do it? Peace! What was this peace He enjoyed that allowed Him to live every day without fear despite the dangers He faced? He stepped out every day in the consciousness of the Father’s presence and will. That’s peace!
Fear is in the driving seat of those who believe it all depends on them. Trouble is that the next moment, let alone the future, is unknown. “What if” controls the thoughts and beliefs of those who have no connection with Jesus….and those beliefs are mostly driven by the environment of “bad”. What if the next moment is bad – accident, illness, crime, and… and…? And we can do nothing to stop it!
Jesus’ peace was so powerful that it held Him steady in the darkest moments of His life. So, He could say, “My peace is yours as well, if you do what I do.” He refused to function by the threat of circumstances. Instead, He clung to the presence and will of the Father no matter where it took Him because He knew and trusted the Father to do the right thing, always.
John 16:33 NLT
[33] I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
Unlike much false preaching today, Jesus never promised us a trouble-free life. On the contrary, He often warned of inescapable trials and troubles, especially for those who follow Him. However, He promised peace in the midst of storms if His peace rules in our hearts.
Peace doesn’t come to us by accident. Peace is the outcome of a choice. Paul counselled, “Trade your anxieties for God’s peace.”
Philippians 4:6-7 NLT
[6] “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. [7] Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
Do you get it?
There is a little word injected into Paul’s counsel that is the hub of God’s peace….” thanksgiving”! Anxiety and fear can never co-exist with a grateful heart.
Colossians 3:15 NLT
[15] “And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.”
1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT
[18] “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”
Again, do you get it?
The peace Jesus bought us through His death, the legacy He left us that will guide us through the maze of life’s struggles, can only come to us by choice. When we consciously and purposefully choose to be thankful despite the issues we face, because He is in charge, peace replaces fear.
Peace, then, is not the absence of trouble. Peace is the conscious awareness of Jesus’ presence despite the trouble. We choose to believe in Him, in His love and goodness to override the trouble and bring good out of it because He promised.
That’s it!