True Peace In The Midst Of Chaos

Peace, such an easy word to say and something we all would like, but is so elusive.

What really is peace? Most of us think about peace when there is chaos in our lives. Things get hectic and crazy. We have tons of things to get done. The kids are going nuts. The news is depressing. There is violence around the world. The money that comes in never seems to quite match the money that needs to go out. The laundry never seems to ever get done. The yard needs mowing and it won't stop raining. The dog just got loose. The cat just threw up. The car "Service Engine" light came on.

How did those old commercials go? Calgon, take me away! (Do they even make that anymore?)

But is a few minutes in the bathtub with a fragrant bath additive really what peace is. It may feel like peace. It may look peaceful, but in the end is it really peace.

Not really. In fact, not at all. It's only the appearance of peace, not true peace.

Peace defined is:
1.freedom from disturbance; quiet and tranquility.
2.freedom from or the cessation of war or violence.

When was the last time in your life you truly had that kind of peace? Seriously think about it. Have you ever really had freedom from disturbance? Has there ever really not been war or violence? If you're honest the answer will be no. I have to answer the same. We always have things going on in our lives, around our lives and through our lives that are far from peaceful. Sure there are moments, but nothing seriously continuous.

So if it is something we can't really completely get, why do we seek it and want it so much? Because it is a part of who we should be spiritually!

Let me explain.

Born in each and every person is a knowledge (whether we recognize it or not) that something is missing from our lives. That something is God. He made us that way. We are wired to seek Him. Part of who God is, well, is Peace. You may have heard one of the names of Jesus, The Prince of Peace. He is named that because that is who He is. He IS Peace. It is a part of His character, who He is as God.

John 14:27 says "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

My peace I give you....... Think about that for a minute. My peace I give you. If Jesus is peace and He is giving us His peace He giving Himself to us. How do I know this? Well I could say from personal experience, but that's a little subjective. But Scripture is very clear on this.

John 14:15-17 “If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you."

Did you see that part I emphasized? The Holy Spirit dwells within each and every Believer. Because He does each and every one of us can know Peace, true Peace, not the temporary or momentary kind, but the kind that lasts. This is a peace that you can't explain!

Phillipians 4:7 "and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

That kind of peace is something that no Believer I know can really explain. God was very clear in saying that it is a peace that "surpasses all understanding". It truly does. It never makes sense, nor can we ever give this kind of peace to each other. It's impossible. It only comes from God because of what His Son did for us on the cross and through the Holy Spirit.

What an amazing gift it really is. In the midst of all the craziness of life, in the calmness of life, in the tragedy of life, we can have peace. Recently I experienced an abundant amount of that peace. It happened when my husband became violently ill with food poisoning and then learned when he was in the hospital that he would have to have a toe amputated. Imagine how most of us would feel watching our spouse get sicker and sicker with food poisoning, taking them to the ER and finding out while there that he was to lose a toe and that he had a raging infection throughout his body. I think the normal response would be panic, fear, sadness and a whole gamut of other emotions.

But I can say, and my friends and family can attest to the fact that during the whole process I not once panicked. I remained calm and deep inside I was sure things would be fine no matter the outcome. Seriously, no matter the outcome, even when the surgeon said he was concerned about my husbands whole foot being in danger and when he explained how serious the infection he had was. I knew God was in control and I felt His perfect peace at all times.

That's peace that "surpasses all understanding".

The only way to have true peace is to have Christ. If you don't have Christ you will never be able to understand nor experience this kind of peace. Having Christ is a simple act of faith in what He has done for you and me.

I Corinthians 15:3-4 "For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,"

That's how you and I can have peace, true Peace!