Peace!
“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.
Emotional storms within us can be as hard to handle as external physical ones.
Grief, fear, and worry can cause us to be in great turmoil.
To see us through the rough times of life-
God provides His protection and peace.
But protection does not mean that troubles won’t occur.
Jesus allowed the disciples to experience the fear and anxiety of being in a boat on a turbulent sea.
He permitted them to suffer because He had something far more important in mind.
He wanted to teach them to recognize their own helplessness, His sufficiency, and their need of Him.
The peace that God provides is not dependent upon the quieting of our circumstances or the removal of external pressures.
Nor does it mean the absence of conflict.
The promised peace comes in three ways.
First-
Jesus!
Jesus Himself becomes our peace.
Through His death, He has reconciled us to the Father, and we are no longer His enemies. Rom. 5:1.
In God, we can be at rest.
Second-
The Father!
When in right relationship with the Father, we have the ability to live at peace with our fellow man. Eph. 2:14.
Through God, we have the power to choose to forgive, to keep no record of wrongs, and to show love to people who oppose us.
Third-
The Holy Spirit!
The transforming work of the Holy Spirit enables us to experience an increasing sense of inner tranquility.Phil. 4:7.
The heavenly Father will provide what we need spiritually to both endure and grow stronger in our Christian faith.
What challenges do you face?
Are you using what God has provided?
(PR)