by Ruthanne Lynch

“Peace, peace, wonderful peace- coming down from the Father above.” The old hymn rings in my head. Oh, I would love to have peace! The world is going crazy–wrong is right, up is down. Things seem out of control. Problems in society, challenges at work, struggles in the family, my house is a mess, and I just arrived to work with two different shoes on!

And yet, we are told to have peace. It’s a fruit of the spirit. I’ve memorized the list. I have it written on my wall.  I love God and strive to follow him, so why don’t I feel peace? 

A favorite movie quote from The Princess Bride, “You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.” So, what is peace? 

Peace is the opposite of war. Tranquility. Cease from striving. Stop, rest.

But if I stop trying, won’t it all fall apart. NOPE! That would mean it is up to me. The word “peace” in this passage expresses the idea of quietness, harmony, and rest but also wholeness, the state of being complete. 

I can’t control the things around me (although I want to!). Things are a mess that I can’t fix. I’m reminded that, “I am not that powerful!” I can rest in the peace that it is not all up to me. But my Father is in control!

“I 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.”

Jesus, John 16:33, esv

I have peace when I remember he overcame the world (I don’t have to.).

 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

philippians 4:6-7

“Making request known to God” by telling Him my concerns and desires through… Prayer– solemnly approaching God; Supplication– humbly, earnestly asking, even begging; Thanksgiving– expressing gratitude

He wants to give us peace. We need to ask, bringing everything to Him. Jesus said, “Peace. Be still.” (Mark 4:37-41 ESV) And the wind and the rain stopped!  So, if I really believe he can calm storms, do I believe he can calm my storms? That I can receive “peace that passes all understanding, that can guard your heart and mind”? 

Here’s our prayer prompt, you continue praying as the Lord leads you.

Dear Father, I thank you that you have promised peace, even in the hard times. I acknowledge that I have been striving in _________ for too long. Forgive me for trying to do it on my own. I commit it into your hands and ask for peace. May I sense your true peace this week related to ________ peace that will guard my heart and mind. Thank you in advance as I rest in you.

4 Comments

  1. Oh how I needed this reminder today after such a heavy day yesterday. Thank you for this. I’m printing it and posting it beside my desk in my classroom.

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  2. Oh this PEACE, although the world tries to interrupt it daily, it grows deeper and deeper, as we learn to trust him more and more!

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  4. As I prayed, ” I commit it into your hands,” my shoulders immediately dropped. Don’t you love the feeling of stress leaving your body?! The physical proof of God’s word permeating your thinking and bringing peace, instantly. Lord, prompt me to recognize my stress, to recognize its source and to remember its antidote, to pray, “I commit this into your hands” immediately, to utter this commitment regularly!!

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