We live in a world that feels like a constant battle. Unresolved trouble at work can easily deprive a person of a longed-for weekend of rest and relaxation. Piling up bills may seem impossible to pay, despite the effort to juggle one’s finances, which can be very depressing. Going home after a hard day’s work, knowing that you might just find yourself in another argument with your spouse, can make people frustrated and dramatically elevate one’s stress level. Also, when you turn on the TV or read the newspapers, you will probably see news about heinous crimes, a skyrocketing inflation rate, oil price hikes, or civil and international wars. These social, economic, criminal, national or international issues can rob any individual of their peace.
What is peace? We’ve always defined peace as freedom from trouble or a state of tranquility, quiet, or calmness. Some try to find it through meditation, in a particular place, in material things, after an ordeal, or in achievements, while others only find it in their grave.
We’ve often thought that avoidance or getting ourselves free from what causes us trouble is what gives us peace. Thus, man has constantly pursued peace, but has never found true peace. We may have thought that finding the solution in the world gives us peace, but one way or another, trouble finds us and it all falls apart. The truth is, while we are still in this world, trouble is everywhere and will always find us, no matter what we do. What if I told you that you can have true peace, even if you’re deep in trouble? Jesus said in John 16:33:
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
You see, true peace is not found in a place, a thing, a state of mind, or an achievement. Peace is a person. Jesus is our true Peace (Ephesians 2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;) and He is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.). It’s not just about emptying our lives from trouble; it’s about putting Jesus in our lives in every situation. Only He can provide true peace that transcends all understanding (Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.), and a Peace that overcomes all sorts of trouble. The Holy Spirit leads us to that path of peace in Christ and enables us to bear the fruit of the Spirit.
What Is The Fruit Of The Spirit, Peace?
What Is The Fruit Of The Spirit, Peace?
What Is The Fruit Of The Spirit, Peace?
The world promises a trouble-free life if you conform to it, but what it really does is make you deny or run away from the troubles in life. It’s a momentary diversion from the truth that trouble is still around and waiting just ahead. You end up as a fool every time. However, when you give your life to Jesus and trust in Him, He tells you that you will still have more trouble, but through Him you will overcome them all. He tells you the harsh truth of life on earth, but promises future eternal glory with Him. You end up a conqueror.
Not only does the Holy Spirit allow us to be peaceful from within, but He also helps us to live in peace with others. Jesus teaches us to be peacemakers (Matthew 5:9 and James 3:18). The Spirit transforms our hearts so that we are able to be at peace even with those whom we see as enemies (Romans 12:20).
However, it’s not just peace within ourselves and peace with others that is most essential. Consequently, because of our sin, the peace between man and God was torn asunder. We became friends with the world and became enemies of God (James 4:4 and Colossians 1:21). Ultimately, it is with God that we should seek peace. Thankfully, Christ took the wrath of God upon Himself, and by His death on the cross we are reconciled with God (Romans 5:10). Jesus experienced so much turmoil and pain to bless us with true peace.
By the power of the Spirit, though there will be times that we find ourselves in the midst of raging storms of life, there is an overwhelming peace that makes us stand strong. In Him, we are unshakeable, never abandoned nor forsaken, as we know that we have the most powerful being living in us, always and forever. Setting our mind on the Spirit is life and peace (Romans 8:6).
Isaiah 26:3-4 KJV
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. [4] Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength:”
What Is The Fruit Of The Spirit, Peace?
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