Unlocking the Secret of Elusive Peace
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23
Everyone has a desire for peace. It’s a constant pursuit, the ever-present hunt for that ‘thing’ that will grant our heart and mind true rest and respite from the world. There are whole industries built around the concept. We see people trying all kinds of remedies, meditation, exercise programs, beauty treatments, even a constant stream of ‘new’ and ‘better’ relationships in the hopes that whatever it is will finally bring us the peace we long for. We are always looking for the next thing that promises peace. We drown our pain and sorrow in things that will never satisfy or vices that will only increase the discouragement of what we’re running from. We look to other people to deliver the peace we long for, and when they can’t we’re upset, angry, and we cut ties and move on. We change jobs, change locations, change our style and pursue more material belongings, hoping that something new will finally bring the peace we crave. We long for peace, but we struggle to find it. The truth? We’re looking in all the wrong places. Peace doesn’t come packaged in the way the world wants us to believe it does.
We pursue politics, health, finances, employment, and relationships as if fixing them and improving them will bring peace to our lives. The “if only” syndrome is strong…and deceptive. The storms of life rage around us all the time. And even if we could improve these things, they will neither satisfy us nor will they bend to our needs or be considerate of our desire for peace and calm. Yet we keep running after them as if we can make them right, find the balance, uncover the mystery and finally enjoy peace. But peace is not something we can gain through external means. Too few of us understand that or are willing to admit it.
And the concern is that our sons and daughters are striving to find peace as the world defines it. They’ve bought into the lie, “do this, get that, go there and you’ll know deep peace”. Do they have restlessness that can’t be soothed? Are they struggling with dissatisfaction that is never satisfied? Do they carry a need that is always aching? They’re failing to find peace because they’re looking in all the wrong places.
Oh friends, there IS peace, but it’s not found in any of the promises of this world.
“The absence of peace is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, reflecting the consequences of sin, disobedience, and the fallen nature of humanity. This condition is often depicted as a state of turmoil, conflict, and unrest, both internally within individuals and externally among nations and communities.” (1)
The enemy has no desire to see us live in peace. He perpetuates chaos, discontent, and wants us to remain lost and despairing. He promotes all the things that this world claims will bring us peace. He distracts and disillusions us so that we drift further from God, and in that drifting, we lose sight of the One who can give us true, lasting peace.
Jesus told us that His peace was unlike that offered by the world.
“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.” John 14:27
Peace is far deeper than relationships, things, or pursuits. Peace is a powerful settledness that only comes with an authentic relationship with God and correct knowledge of Him. There is no other way. He is the Source. He is the answer. He is Peace.
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil 4:7
The peace of God transcends all understanding. That word, transcends, is the Greek word hyperecho, and it means, “to excel, be superior, or surpass.” (2) Scripture tells us that the peace of God is far superior to anything this world can offer, whether in relationships, experiences, or material possessions. Yet we hesitate to embrace it. We downplay its power. We insist there has to be another method or pathway. Why are we so resistant to accepting that the answer is in Christ?!
There are eight scriptures in the New Testament that all begin with the statement, “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 1:3, 2 Corinthians 1:2, Galatians 1:3, Ephesians 1:2, Philippians 1:2, 2 Thessalonians 1:2, Titus 1:4, Philemon 1:3) Grace and then peace. The order isn’t accidental. We cannot know the surpassing peace of God until we experience His grace in salvation from our sin. The apostle Paul knew that well and he began nearly all of his epistles with that very statement.
Mark 4:35-41 gives us the account of Jesus in the boat in the storm. He slept while the storm raged, why? Because He knew Who controlled the situation. But the disciples? They panicked. Why? Because they didn’t fully trust the Lord, yet (that word “yet” is powerful). They didn’t understand that Jesus was fully God, Master and Lord of all creation, the Omnipotent One, the Eternal One. They didn’t understand their Lord, the Lord of Creation, held power over the wind and waves and over the peace that could rule in their hearts through Him. Their knowledge of Him was limited and the spiritual insight needed had not yet been revealed. When they saw Him calm the storm, “they were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” Mark 4:41 Their eyes began to be opened to Who they were following and the omnipotent power He held over everything- their life, their health, their peace.
When we confess our sin and surrender control of our life to the Lord of Creation, we have nothing to fear. We can enjoy complete and utter peace that emanates from His presence in our lives…not from our ability to control our anxiety or our situation. It is not a matter of our strength, but our submission. He blesses us with a peace that passes understanding, Philippians 4:7.
Parents, we need to pray that our sons and daughters embrace God’s grace, fully, daily, and authentically. Until they do, they will not know His peace and their pointless pursuits for worldly peace will continue. Romans 8:6b tells us, “But the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” Isn’t that the deepest desire? And that is the only way to enjoy true peace.
Today, and every day, we need to pray that our sons and daughters know and enjoy this Godly peace that only Jesus can provide. Without it, they will struggle with all the fallenness of this world. They will be dissatisfied, disillusioned, and discontent. They will pursue all the worldly things that promise peace, but do not, cannot, deliver. Pray they would know Jesus as Lord and Savior. Pray they would rest in His Lordship over their life, so that no matter what they encounter, they can rest because Jesus is in the storm with them and He commands control over every aspect of it. Pray they would know peace that transcends understanding, so much so, that others see Christ in them and desire the same peace. Pray that the Holy Spirit would be present and active, overriding the influences of the world and the attacks of the enemy.
“Heavenly Father, You are Elohim- the Supreme God. You are Yahweh- the existing One Who was and is and is to come. You are Shaddai- God Almighty. Each of these names holds the power to grant peace and comfort to us in every moment and any situation. We call on You today to work in (name)’s life and heart. Draw them away from things of this world and toward a committed, authentic relationship with Jesus. I pray that as their parent, I would demonstrate tangible reliance on You so that Your peace indwells me and is evident to those around me. Help me to trust You and rest in You so that my son/daughter sees the example of true, deep abiding peace. Lord, only You can give it. I trust You. I lay down my desires, my need for control, my anxious thoughts and my agenda. Lord, be our Lord in every way. Grant (name) deep peace that surpasses understanding and confidence that You are in control and nothing can happen without your assent. Please let the Holy Spirit govern their lives, their thoughts, their desires. Build (name)’s trust in You. Comfort them with Your presence. Instill a peace that enables them to face hard things, endure disappointment and pain, and to be at rest, even when there is uncertainty and turmoil. You are the steady Rock on which we stand. Affirm that to each of us today, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Pray without ceasing.
Online Parallel Bible Project. (n.d.). Topical bible: Understanding the absence of peace. Bible Hub. https://biblehub.com/topical/u/understanding_the_absence_of_peace.htm
G5242 - hyperechō - Strong's Greek Lexicon (NIV). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g5242/niv/mgnt/0-1/