“Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all.” 2 Thessalonians 3:16
Peace is one of those words that has a different meaning depending on your culture and life experiences. How peace looks to you may be completely different from you neighbor. A retired couple may enjoy the peace of drinking a cup of coffee on their porch every morning, while a mother of young children may find a moment of peace watching from the kitchen window as her children play loudly from their backyard. It’s different things to different people. The problem with this peace is it’s limitations. It’s found in moments, then replaced when life picks up again.
As Christ followers, we are offered a different kind of peace. One that is a gift from God. It’s continual through every circumstance. Charles Stanley described the utter chaos of a storm at sea, the waves crashing and wind whipping from every direction, but below the surface the water is calm and unaffected by the raging storm above. He offers that is how the peace of God inhabits our lives. While the craziness of life is happening all around you, in that deep part of your soul lives His peace. It’s constant and it’s well is deep. It’s a peace that can cover every circumstance life may bring you.
Now more than ever anxiety has become a common residence in our lives. Like many other emotions, it is natural reaction to our circumstance and has it’s place. There are many options the world gives us to grant us peace, to soothe our worries and anxiety. They offer a temporary reprieve, but only God’s gift of peace will last.
“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” John 14:27
As you pray, ask God to give you His peace and trust that it’s His desire for you to understand its abiding nature. Know that his peace will give you a continuous joy and purpose as you move through your daily life.
