We sometimes confuse peace with a lack of problems, chaos and strife. Life in this fallen world isn’t peaceful by nature. The peace that comes from God is supernatural, so we must tap into Him to receive it. This peace is steady and strong when the storms rage and the future is uncertain and terrifying. God’s peace doesn’t make sense to the natural eye; it transcends fear, darkness, and stress. That’s the kind of peace that God gives us. Jesus describes it in John 14:27.
27 Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.]
John 14:27
The Charge for our Hearts
In the 27th verse of John 14, Jesus tells us not to allow our hearts to be troubled and not let us be afraid. It is both a decision and a revelation. Jesus reveals that we are in charge of our hearts. He shows us that we can allow them to run with fear and get stirred up in stress and trouble. Our emotions rule our hearts; their purpose is for compassion, empathy, wonder, and laughter, but our mind is designed for direction. The Bible says that our hearts and emotions also get damaged; resentment, greed, and secret sins influence them without us knowing. We must decide to put the brakes on fear; then, we must pay a nominal price for God’s peace.
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?
Jeremiah 17:9
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
Isaiah 26:3
The Cost of Peace
What is the price of peace? We can not strive for it or conjure it up but position ourselves to receive it. We do this by putting and keeping our minds on Him, His words, and promises from the scripture. To be open to receive, we meditate on God’s character, His goodness, His word, and faithful answers to previous prayers. The cost of peace is intentionally focusing on God and putting limitations on our panicking hearts to trust Him and His word. When we do this, it’s easier to trust Him, and we fall under the grace of His mighty peace. It’s essential not to neglect the power of prayer. He outlines it all in Philippians 4:6-7.
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
