Peace, Perfect Peace
If you’re like me, sometimes peace is hard to find. You would think that as a retired woman I would have plenty of time, fewer worries, less deadlines to meet, and be able to just do what I want to do resulting in peace in my life. You couldn’t be more wrong. I still have a lot of activities in my life. Along with the usual daily chores – doing laundry, cleaning house, buying groceries, cooking meals, organizing closets, etc. – I seem to be busy with lots of other things like writing, studying, praying, teaching Bible classes, mentoring young women, hosting guests in our home, counseling those who are troubled, and this list could go on and on.
How then, is it possible to have peace with all of these activities going on daily? It isn’t if I only focus on these earthly tasks. However, when my main focus is on God and doing His will for my life, peace is the result.
The word ‘peace’ is found often in the Bible. Let me give you a few examples:
- “Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it (Psalm 34:14).
- To His apostles he said: “Peace I leave with you…” (John 14:27).
- “For God is not a God of confusion but of peace…” (1 Corinthians 14:33).
- Right in the middle of the fruit of the Spirit, there it is: “…love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…” (Gal. 5:22,23).
- And one of my favorite passages, which helps me have peace: “…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).
I could go on and on with passages that teach us how to have peace in our lives, but I think these will suffice.
Keep in mind that all of us have turmoil in our lives. All of us have events in our past that have been traumatic and painful. All of us have suffered loss at the hands of another person. All of us have been rejected by someone, possibly someone we love. All of us have suffered in one way or another. I realize that some have suffered more than others, but all have suffered in some way.
Jesus is the answer for bringing peace into our lives. As the songwriter of long ago wrote:
Peace, perfect peace, in this dark world of sin:
The blood of Jesus whispers peace within.
Peace , perfect peace, by thronging duties pressed:
To do the will of Jesus this is rest.
Peace, perfect peace, with sorrows surging round:
On Jesus’ bosom naught but calm is found.
It is enough: earth’s struggles soon shall cease,
And Jesus call us to heaven’s perfect peace.
AUTHOR: Donna Faughn
