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 NIV
In a world full of chaos and uncertainty, true peace seems elusive. The negotiates and fights for peace, but what it offers is fleeting and imperfect. However, there is perfect peace in Christ that surpasses all understanding. This peace is not just the absence of troubles but dominion over them. Only through faith and trust in Jesus can we experience perfect peace in Christ. This peace calms our hearts even during life’s storms. As believers, we are to live in perfect peace in Christ, relying on His strength to guide us through every challenge.
It is crucial to understand that God is the source and originator of peace. Everything about Him speaks of peace—He gives it freely, and only He can sustain it. The truth is that challenges are inevitable. We don’t need to pray for them to stay away; instead, we should prepare to face them. Challenges are tests of strength, and avoiding them means missing the opportunity for growth. As the Bible says in John 16:1-2 (NIV), “All this I have told you so that you will not fall away. They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God.”
This passage reminds us that difficulties are a reality of life. Rather than being surprised by them, we must be ready and steady in faith.One of the most powerful examples of peace in the midst of adversity is Jesus calming the storm in Mark 4.
“On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.”
Mark 4:35-39 NKJV
When the storm hit, fear gripped the disciples, but Jesus remained peaceful—so peaceful that He was asleep. Upon waking, Jesus did not panic. Instead, He calmly addressed the storm, saying, “Peace, be still”. Immediately, the wind stopped, and there was a great calm.
This moment illustrates that the external storm did not dictate Jesus’ peace but His internal trust in God’s power. In the same way, God calls us to remain calm and trust in Him during life’s storms.
Challenges in life are temporary, and their duration often depends on how we respond to them. In Philippians 4:6-7, Paul writes: “Be anxious for nothing, 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 minds through Christ Jesus.”
This peace is not based on circumstances but on trust in God. Just as Jesus was calm during the storm, believers are invited to give their anxieties to God in prayer. The peace He offers “surpasses all understanding”—it is beyond human comprehension, just like Jesus’ calm during a storm baffled His disciples.
In conclusion, God promises perfect peace to those who fix their hearts and minds on Him. Trusting in God brings a peace that transcends the fleeting calm the world offers. When we focus on God, we can rest assured that He is at work behind the scenes, guiding us through life’s storms. The peace of God is not merely an emotional comfort; it is a divine assurance that sustains us through every challenge.
