Peace

3/23/2011

Peace

I think one thing we all have in common is our desire for peace. We may not all be seeking the same kind of peace but we each are seeking peace for something. Peace in our lives, peace in our hearts and in our heads, peace in our families, our towns, peace in our church, our state, our country, peace from medical issues, financial issues, world peace, fill in the blank peace. We all desire peace.

Peace: Freedom from quarrels and disagreement; harmonious relations. a state of tranquility or quiet, freedom from disturbance.

I used to believe I had no control over peace. That it was just something that rarely happened to me, though I prayed for it every day.

I found peace.

First I found it in my Bible. Really desiring to grow spiritually offered me my first REAL glimpses of the ever elusive peace:

The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace. Psalm 29:11

Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. Psalm 34:14

I was able to see peace more often but I was still missing the big picture.

I kept reading and God revealed it to me.

All this time I was waiting for peace to happen, to show up in my life and make everything calm.

Peace is not something that happens to you. It is something you seek but not in the way you seek your lost car keys, because once you find those the seeking is over. It is not some magic cure that comes along and makes all the arguments stop, the war end, and quietness abound.

No, peace is something you DO. Peace is what YOU CREATE in your life. And it REALLY is THAT simple – you desire to live peaceful, commit to living peacefully, then CHOOSE peace.

I find when I live my life the way Jesus tells me to, I am in a state of peace. I have created a peaceful environment. When I am slow to anger, show self-control, walk by the spirit, turn the other cheek, love without judgment, share, speak only positive things about others, etc. I have peace.

There are still arguments, screaming and cursing, and war and ugly all around me; the difference is that I am getting better at not taking the bait and joining in. I cannot control what other people wish to have in their lives, but I CAN control whether or not I engage with them in the state they are in.

It is still work – I must consciously decide to seek peace EACH day, sometimes EACH hour and on really rough days or with extremely difficult people EACH minute.

Some days are better than others, but the peace I feel in my life is genuine God sent PEACE. I can’t take credit for the peace in my life, God spells out His plan for our peace in His word – all I did was FINALLY read it and pray for God’s help to live it.

But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. Psalm 37:11

Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. Psalm 119:165

Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. Romans 14:19

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Romans 15:13

But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace. 1 Corinthians 7:15

Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. 2 Corinthians 13:11

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Galatians 5:22

And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. Galatians 6:16

Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. Philippians 4:9

Pull out your Bible – your peace is waiting for you in it!

1 Corinthians 10:31 (KJV) …whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God!

Be blessed and know that Jesus ADORES you! And so do I!