The Gift of Peace

   It seems like there is so much anxiety in the world. There are reports of how much this has risen among young people and it’s astronomical. How can we have peace when it seems like everything in the world is causing anxiety? Let’s remind ourselves of these precious words of Jesus: John 14:27
   Looking at this powerful verse in a couple of different translations really solidifies the message He was trying to get to us. (John 14:27 TPT, AMP)
   Jesus has given us the gift of peace!!! That means it is available to us right now and it is available 24/7!! When you hear unsettling news – His peace is available! When you are unsure of your future - His peace is available! In the middle of the night when your thoughts are racing – His peace is available! When you don’t know what to do – His peace is available!
    Peace in the Biblical sense is not something we only possess in the absence of difficulties. Peace is for the difficulties! Peace is for the storm!! There is an interesting application of this in a Gospel story. (Mark 4:35-40)
   Jesus used spoke peace to combat the storm! The Words of Jesus caused peace to affect the storm! Speaking peace brought stillness and quiet where there was chaos and impending destruction!! 
   Remember in our first text, Jesus told His disciples to “Let not your hearts be troubled!” Don’t allow fear and anxious thoughts to rule your hearts. Paul talked about this too. (Colossians 3:15-16)
   Let peace and let the Word…a real key to having the peace of God rule in your heart is “letting” the Word have an important place in your heart. How often we fill our hearts with thoughts of the news and world events and then we wonder why we have anxiety. Let peace!!! Make room for peace in your heart and mind by having a good inflow of the Word of God!
   These verses are so beautiful and instructional out of the Passion Translation! The Amplified translation uses the example of an umpire in regards to peace! (Colossians 3:15-17 TPT, AMP)
   What is ruling in our hearts? We must allow peace to be that umpire. We don’t want to have fear ruling us – that involves torment (1 John 4:18). Many of us can speak to that truth as we have experienced it ourselves!! We want to move out of that tormenting storm into the peace of God by speaking peace, even to our own hearts and minds.
   The word peace in its Biblical meaning carries the idea of wholeness. The Jews use the word for peace, shalom, as a greeting. In other words, they are giving a greeting of wholeness. “May everything be well with you!” Some have interpreted this as “nothing missing, nothing broken” and that would be within the Biblical meaning.
   With great desire, we want to live in God’s Expanded Vision for our lives! It will be much more plausible to hear His voice, His direction, and His vision for our lives as we are “letting” ourselves remain in peace!! (Philippians 4:6-7 AMP, TPT)
   Sometimes it seems as if our world and even our lives are more filled with fear and anxiety than they have ever been. Let’s turn our hearts to God and release the weight of our cares into His capable hands!