Finding Peace

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With all of the turmoil and resulting anxiety of people lately (due to tense situations around the world, the disagreements within the U.S. government and whatever else), it has made me consider whether I ought to say something or not. But, the thing is, I believe I do have something to say and even if it only ends up making a difference for one or two people, it just might be worthwhile. So, here goes.

Whenever I find myself feeling discouraged about whatever is going on in my life (or the world) or a complete lack of peace regarding the future, I like to take some time to reflect on where it is that I have been searching for peace or security, and where I ought to be looking instead. As a Christian, I ought to be looking to Jesus Christ. But, because I am an imperfect human being, I often make the mistake of looking in all the wrong places – friendships, music, the solitude of my room, etc. The result is that I end up feeling insecure with no peace, and honestly, that is not a pleasant place to be. Confusion, a lack of adequate sleep, excessive stress and anything else that might come from my insecurities and anxiety are far from being enjoyable.

Now, I am aware that I should probably clarify what I meant by saying that I ought to find my peace and security in Jesus Christ, and that explanation will likely take up the majority of this particular post. First, I would like to explain what peace and Jesus have to do with each other. Isaiah 9:6 says “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (ESV, emphasis added). This passage is commonly seen as a prophecy concerning the coming Messiah, who would save the world; and we know, because of the New Testament, that its fulfillment has been found in Jesus. He is the “Prince of Peace.” Later in Isaiah, the writer again refers to Jesus, saying “surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:4-5).

Here is where I think we miss the point. We look at our lives and despair at the turmoil we see around us and we forget that God has already taken care of the biggest source of our lack of peace by restoring the broken relationship between us and him. You see, our sins, our wrongdoings (whether something as seemingly small as a lie or as big as physically harming, or even killing, another person), have already been taken care of. The punishment (chastisement) for them has been taken by Jesus – he suffered in our place so that we would not have to (this does not mean that we do not have to face consequences, it simply means that in God’s eyes, the debt has been paid). The result is that we can have peace with God – and there is no greater peace to be had. As the Apostle Paul says in Romans 5:1-8, “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ dies for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person – though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die – but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ dies for us.”

It is an amazing thing to know that God has provided a way for us to have the greatest peace – peace between him and ourselves. We did not, and cannot, do anything to earn it, but he freely gives it to us anyway – the only thing we have to do is acknowledge that he has. In addition, we can find peace in the midst of difficult times in our lives by resting in God. Psalm 62:1-2 is one of my favorite places to turn to in times when I feel anxious as it reminds me that it is in God that I find the rest, the peace, that I long to have. It says “My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken” (NIV).

For some more encouragement, here are a few more verses (of which there are many more) about God’s promises of peace and security.

·         “You [God] keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed [focused] on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD God is an everlasting rock.” – Isaiah 26:3-4

·         “In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.” – Psalm 4:8

·         “I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.” – Psalm 34:4

·      ""For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you.” – Isaiah 54:10

·         “I [Jesus] have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33

·         “God is our refuge and strength, and ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give away and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.” – Psalm 46:1-3 (NIV)

·         “Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.” – Psalm 125:1 (NIV)

·         “The LORD is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made. The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. The LORD watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.” – Psalm 145:17-20 (NIV)

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