The Kind of Peace that Penetrates
If you think about it, so much of the world is built upon fear- the opposite of peace. When we wake up each morning we are greeted with fears, old and new. We say to ourselves, “I never did finish school, will I ever amount to anything?” or “When will I get a job, I’ve been applying”, “when will I get in to the relationship I’ve been waiting for, I’ve been praying”. We have fears for our own lives and sometimes it extends to the lives of others. We worry and fear for our children, and even about what is going on around the world as we watch disturbing stories unfold on the news. Fear and worry absorb energy and resources.
The truth is whomever you are we all want and long for a sense of peace and security in our lives. The issue arises however when we look for internal peace in the wrong things. This world can give you only a temporal or an imitation type of peace. We have all subscribed to it before, even me. We are stressed so we go for massages, we buy lavender candles, and we meditate. We even look for peace in materials like money, cars and clothes or look for it in people through relationships. Now there is nothing wrong with engaging in the occasional bubble bath, the massage, the candles etc. These are all activities I even subscribe to for relaxation and enjoyment. **Note activities of relaxation and enjoyment do not equal peace, nor do they last. Recently, I was reviewing my account statement as I typically do and I had several charges for message therapy. I sat back and I started to think… I am really making these massage therapists rich lol! Why? because the treatments never last. I keep going back for more.
I believe that many of us our looking for something everlasting, something that doesn’t wipe out our resources or our time. I have discovered that true deep and lasting peace only comes through a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Now at first glance you may say, “Faith, really? I need something tangible. In fact, I need something right NOW.” but humor me for just a moment. Don’t knock the idea unless you have tried.
I’d like you to now listen closely to what I have to say.
In John 14:27 Jesus himself says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
Jesus Christ gives us a GIFT of peace. This gift is unmerited. It is by grace. The peace is everlasting. It is greater than any mediation CD or massage. No matter what you are going through today the same gift of peace is available to all of us. Jesus knew there would be trouble along the way but we should not fear but rather take heart because He has overcome the world.
Now, we must first have a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Secondly, we must allow that relationship to penetrate and run deep.
Allow me to paint a picture for you. If you think about rain falling on hard soil, initially it doesn’t penetrate the soil does it? It takes time and patience…and even belief that it will indeed penetrate the soil. As it continues to rain, the water enters the soil and mud forms. Mud that can be easily molded; much more than dry soil. The soil eventually takes in the water and the mud now containing whatever the water was containing. What am I saying? I am saying that as we allow Jesus Christ to reign over our hearts, even if they may be hardened, that the more we develop our relationship with Christ, the more He will penetrate into our hearts and the more we will contain what He contains, which is peace.
Know that peace brings life. It brings hope to others. Peace changes situations. Peace is valuable.
Practically how can we tap into such everlasting peace that Jesus has already given to us?
What I want to propose is worship.
Now in the midst of trial, adversity, lack or even fear…let’s be honest, worshiping God is not the first thing that comes to our minds. When trouble comes our way, worship initially may even feel unnatural or uncomfortable. We say, “Why worship God when everything is a mess in my life?”
Truthfully, worshiping God draws us nearer to him, nearer to the source of our peace. In worship we fill our minds and our thoughts with not just thanksgiving and adoration but also with positive thoughts of God’s promises. As we fill our minds, our mouths will be filled with the same and then our hearts. Through worship we allow the peace of Christ to reign over us. Fear will have no place. Allow His peace to reign over your life and into your hearts. No matter how dark your issue, no matter how deep, God carries the type of peace that penetrates.
Peace is indeed a gift from God given freely but furthermore it is a choice you and I must take. It is my prayer that you choose peace tonight. Worship God in the midst of it all…continuously. Believe that your soil can too be penetrated. Hope knows no fear. Jesus Christ is the Prince of peace and He promises to give you and I a peace that transcends all understanding.
With love,
Faith ‘Biela
faithbiela 
4 Responses to “The Kind of Peace that Penetrates”
Great piece Faith. A great reminder for troubled times likes this. Peace is a Force that commits God to our cause. Psalm 46:10. There is always a side of God we come to know when we are Still.
Thank you Joseph! You are right…we must be still 🙂
I love this message. Something I read recently about peace. The first 5 to 10 minutes of each day will greatly influence the rest of your day. Secondly, the last 5 to 10 minutes of your day is vital to the kind of sleep you get and the type of dreams you may have. Psalm 4:8 is my go to bed verse. “I will lay down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”
Thank you. I’m glad you do. Great thought…we ought to consider how we start and end each day. Lovely verse! Blessings.