Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. ~2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NIV)
It seems like so many people are in pain today facing trials that are impossible for any of us to handle, much less without the Lord. The biopsy was malignant. The family is out of control. Someone discovers that their spouse is having an affair. The homeless make their way to the nearest soup kitchen, hoping for a warm meal and a smiling face. The list of wounded hearts and unmet needs is endless. We all desire and pursue peace. At the point of desperation, some of us pursue peace by numbing our pain with alcohol, drugs, sex, food, success … that list is also endless. Remember the old country song that says we look for love in all the wrong places? The same can be said about peace. Where do you find peace? Do you find it in knowing your retirement is secure? Do you find it by stealing away from the pressures of life through addiction? Jesus said in John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give as the world gives….” (NIV) The world has a form of peace to offer you and me, but it isn’t the kind of peace Jesus offers and it isn’t going to last either.
We often try to convince ourselves that life will be better when we have more money, when we find the right mate, when we get the kids raised, or when we build that dream house. Then we tell ourselves that our life will be complete when our spouse or children get their act together, when we get a nicer car, when we get that promotion, when we are able to go on our dream vacation, or when we retire. It's a never-ending struggle when we are trying to find joy, contentment and peace in lifeless places and things. We tend to believe that peace is simply the absence of problems, valleys or trials. But that’s just not true. Peace is a calm confidence that the Lord of the universe is still on the throne - no matter how deep the valley may be. Real peace allows you to recognize Jesus walking on the water as He calms the storms in your life. Trials become opportunities to trust God when the peace Jesus has left us reigns in our hearts. Do you have that kind of peace? The Lord says you can. He says “my peace I give to you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (NIV) It’s time to take an inventory of our troubles and fears today. It’s time to think about what we are thinking about and do an attitude check examining our hearts for any traces of anxiety about tomorrow or even today. God wants us to change our focus to the good things He is doing in and through us and He want us to see that He is more than willing to perpetuate that into our tomorrows. Praise the Lord for His peace today. Pursue it if you have to and cling to it with all you have. Trust Him and celebrate His goodness towards you. This is how we find our missing peace!
Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. ~Psalm 106:1 (NIV)
Where do you find peace?
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