I mentioned in a previous post that one of the gifts God gives us is peace. “I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” (John 14:27) Jesus’ inner peace allowed Him to be sound asleep while the boat He was in was being battered by wind and waves frightening even the seasoned fishermen among His disciples. (Matthew 8:23-27) Now, He has left that same peace not only to His disciples, but to every Christian believer and follower.
We most often think of peace as a cease of war or hostility. World War I was billed as “the war to end all wars”. It obviously didn’t live up to its billing, because we have had another World War and continue to experience countless regional wars and armed conflicts to this day; more than a century after the end of World War I. Jesus tells His disciples (and us), “And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic Yes, these things must take place but the end won’t follow immediately.” (Mark 13:7) So, that definition of peace doesn’t appear to be anywhere in sight as we look around the world.
One of the reasons physical conflicts and hostilities continue is that there is a constant spiritual battle going on between good and evil. That battle not only takes place between angels and demons and between the children of God and the follows of Satan; but that spiritual battle goes on in the mind and heart of every unbeliever. Do you remember that battle within you before you accepted Jesus Christ? I do, even at the age of eleven. Now I have the Holy Spirit within me to help me fight off the attacks from the enemy and find inner peace despite the storm that is rocking my boat.
Like salvation, inner peace is a gift from God that we must accept and open before we possess it. How often do we Christians leave the presents God has given us wrapped and unopen? My Christian brother or sister, if you are troubled or afraid, open that gift Jesus has left for you and enjoy the inner peace you can’t find in the world; inner peace that is oblivious to the storms and conflicts around you. I assure you when your mind and heart are at peace no matter what is going on around you, the prompting of the Holy Spirit will become louder and clearer and your Christian life will be full. “Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7)