Much is being said about “peace on earth” these days. We read that
the angels sang upon Jesus’ birth,
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Luke 2:14
How do you define “peace” in your world today? Is real peace available today? We often see peace defined as “the absence of strife or conflict.” We haven’t seen very much of that lately, have we. God offers peace to His people, but under what conditions? Why not see what He says about that.
The Beatitudes Of Jesus
His recipe for peace is filled with ingredients that sound like anything but peace. It begins with
“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,” and continues with humility, grief, gentleness, mercy toward others and purity of heart, Matthew 5:1-11.
These do not fit most modern definitions of peace, but nothing short of them will provide God’s peace. The Greek word translated “blessed” is makarios, which is defined as “attaining life’s ideal”.
Want peace? You would be wise to add these ingredients to your life… but don’t expect life to be free from conflicts. Even God’s people, for whom that peace awaits, are told that life will be filled with stress and strife. The good news is that those trials merely whet our appetite for the bliss, the peace of eternal life.
Make Up Your Mind To Be Happy
Solomon wrote, “A merry heart doeth good like medicine,” Proverbs 15:3. Many face life with very many more troubles than mine without being in despair. It depends on whether you are set on being unhappy or happy. It’s a decision you make. If you choose to do so you can be at peace even when Satan tosses his ‘worst’ right in your lap.
I like the old saying: “If you can’t do what you enjoy, enjoy what you do.”
If that sounds like Pollyanna, both childish and naïve, you might try it on for size. Paul said it this way: “I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content,” Philippians 4:11.
From a prison cell in Rome, Paul wrote those words. Even in such dire circumstances Paul had made up his mind that he would not be overwhelmed by his incarceration, but knew he could “handle it.”
All of us may face persecution, stress and grief, 2 Timothy 3:12, but with His Word as a comfort, and if we make up our mind to do so, we can overcome the worst obstacles.
Take One Day At A Time
One summer my father spent several weeks in the hospital. My mother became very anxious. She imagined all kinds of trouble that could come our way as though they were already there with us.
Concern for a spouse, a child or friend is understandable, but it is also easy for the trials of tomorrow to be dragged over into today. We often call this “borrowing trouble” because we pile up all the things that might happen and stack them on top of what is happening.
Matthew 6:33 is a familiar passage, known by many of us. Verse 34, however, can help us over this “trouble” that we have borrowed:
“Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”
In this text Jesus says to live one day at a time. Let yesterday and tomorrow take care of themselves, for each day will provide enough trouble to keep you busy without bringing the ‘maybe’s’ into today.
Leave Past Mistakes Behind
Both Simon Peter and Judas failed Jesus when He needed them most. What they did was shameful, so much so that it must have haunted them for years. Judas could not deal with it and took his life. Peter, however, was able to put it behind him and go on to be a powerful tool in the hand of the One he denied.
If you have made terrible mistakes in the past, don’t feel like you are alone. All of us have made mistakes, but God can forgive any sin of which we will repent, Psalm 86:5, 1 John 1:9. God will forgive and forget them, and you must put them behind you just as permanently.
Search Scripture To Find Peace
God’s word is the greatest source for joy and peace. While mere man can pen words of peace, the Bible comes from the very Source of true peace.
- “Happy are the people whose God is the LORD!” Psalm 144:15
- “If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you; for the spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part he is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.” 1 Peter 4:14
- “Let your conduct be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you or forsake thee. So we may boldly say, ‘The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear. What can man do unto me?’” Hebrews 13:5-6
Don’t forget. God loves you!
