IS PEACE ATTAINABLE? GOD’S WORD SAYS IT IS!

BIBLE PASSAGE:
You will keep in perfect peace him whose
mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You.
(Isaiah 26:3)

MEDITATION:
If we asked everyone what they would like to have most in life,
wouldn’t you expect many to respond with, “happiness” or
“peace”, or both? We can all have moments of happiness, but
that doesn’t mean we have lasting joy. When we have any brief
periods of happiness, it can increase our yearning for joy and
cause us to pursue it with an even greater vigor.

Peace is different though. There are an untold number of people
who struggle every day just to experience a brief moment of peace.
Some strive for wealth, but it doesn’t give them the peace they so
desperately desire.

Some try to find peace through knowledge, but even though they might
acquire one or more college degrees, some can still be searching for a
‘lasting peace’. Some try many different religions in their efforts to find
peace. Peace can often be evasive even when we are alone and we have
no imminent threats around us.

There was a TV series named “Everybody Loves Raymond” that focused
on a guy named Raymond, who wanted everything to always remain in
a peaceful state, but he had a problem – if he felt anyone didn’t like him,
it disrupted his peace. He would often tell lies in an effort to keep peace.

The show depicts what many of us can go through in our own daily
lives, doesn’t it? Everything can be going well for us and we can be
enjoying a peaceful life, but suddenly we can have new responsibilities
that interrupt our peace; or we can discover that someone doesn’t like
us, and we are devastated and want to know why (it’s a testimony of
of our desire to be liked, isn’t it)?

However, there is a formula for unusual and genuine peace that can
only be found through a relationship with Jesus Christ. When we go
to Him with humility, admitting we are sinners and expressing our
desire to follow Him, we not only receive salvation, but He also gives
us the Holy Spirit.

His Spirit develops the ‘fruit of the Spirit’ in us so we can be blessed
with a new peace that passes all understanding. We may wonder how
we can know the ‘fruit of the Spirit’ is working in our lives. If that is
our concern, the scriptures give us some things we can expect:
    But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
    patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
    gentleness and self-control. Against such
    things there is no law.
    (Galatians 5:22-23)

This doesn’t mean that we will not have problems to deal with, but
through the work of the Holy Spirit, we can cope with our difficulties
without falling apart or lashing out at others in frustration. We will
be sustained and encouraged by the Holy Spirit which will provide
the type of peace we need.

Jesus set the example of one living a peaceful life. We can read in the
scriptures how He was frequently under attack from religious leaders
and others, but He remained calm throughout their verbal assaults.
The more we strive to be like Jesus, the higher our chances of being
at peace when unexpected storms come our way.

ACTION:
Questions to consider:
    – Is peace hiding from me?
    – Do I get frustrated when trying to find a lasting peace?

If your answer to these questions, “Yes”, then wouldn’t it be a
good idea for you to follow the advice and promise in God’s
Word? You, and everyone else, can invite Jesus and the Holy
Spirit to come into your life.

You may have already invited Jesus into your life, but have you
allowed Him to take control of your words, actions, emotions and
attitudes? We don’t invite Jesus and His Spirit into our lives to sit
and do nothing; we invite them in because we want to be shown
how to become more like Jesus. The more we are like Him, the
greater our chances are to experience peace and joy.

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, thank You for Your promise of peace. It seems
like something that is impossible to find, but with the Holy Spirit
You give me, I know that all things are possible. Help me to be
thankful for the peace You provide and teach me the importance
of sharing Your promises with others. Show me how to utilize my
times of peace to grow closer to You. Give me confidence that You
will be with me and calm me whenever problems cross my path.
Thank You, Jesus, for providing us with a living example of how
we can navigate this world with a lasting inner peace. Lord, I place
my faith and trust in You! Teach me to use all You have blessed me
with (especially my spiritual gift) to point others toward You.”

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