Peace

The other day my sweet friend Margo asked us “if you had to sum up in one word what God’s been teaching you lately what would that word be?” And that question really resonated with me because the word that came to mind immediately was “peace”.

I don’t know about y’all, but these last few weeks, even months, have felt like something out of a movie. We’ve even said it’s like we’re living in a horror movie--quarantined in our houses, schools closed, no groceries. It seems like everyone is living in fear; fear of getting the virus, fear of a loved one getting the virus, fear of the lack of resources...but these really can all be summed up as the fear of uncertainty. I for one hate change and uncertainty more than anything, and I would’ve thought this situation we’re in would be freaking me out to the max, but surprisingly, I’ve felt a strange sense of peace. And I realized that this is because God has been teaching me so much about where true peace and comfort comes from.

I’ve spent so much of my life worrying about what may happen and trying to control things that are out of my control. In fact, I would say that is my biggest struggle. But through spending time in the Word and with God in prayer, I’ve realized a few things:

1. God wants us to give all our fears to Him

1 Peter 5:7 says “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” We are called by the Lord to give all our fears, worries, anxieties, and concerns to God. This doesn’t just mean some fears, or the fears we don’t really think about--every fear and concern we’ve ever had, we should give to Him. And not just give, but surrender. We can’t surrender our hearts to God if we don’t surrender our minds as well. So don’t let your mind wander and wallow in fear and anxiety, but rest knowing that God wants to take our fears away.

2. God calls us to seek peace, and to seek peace we must seek Him

Romans 12: 18 says “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” You can only control yourself, and your own actions, so be the peacemaker. Be the one who radiates peace and the fruits of the Spirit. Peace is only found when we seek Him; just like everything else, you can’t earn peace through good works, or being a “good” christian. And it’s not easy to be at peace--it takes work and effort, just like everything worthwhile in life. Peace comes when you seek God with fire and intensity and purpose. And that leads to my last point which is:

3. True peace can only be found in God

The things of this earth can’t offer us peace. We may feel temporary relief from our fears and anxieties, but the only way we can find true peace in our hearts is by pursuing the Lord and His Word. My favorite verse is John 16:33, which says “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” How true this verse is, especially now, with everything going on in the world. It’s normal to be uncertain about the future and to have fear, but as God says, take heart! He has already conquered this world, and He has something much better in store for us. We don’t have any reason to fear, because God is in control, and everything is happening according to His will for us. So whether or not this is your will for yourself--(which I suspect it’s not--no one wants to have to leave school and their friends)--it is God’s will and He knows what will come, so we can rest and find our peace in Him.