“Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”
Scriptures teach there is no peace without first having peace with God, but plaguing the world on both Christians and non-Christians is the inward turmoil of not being at peace with ourselves. There is worry: the stock market crash, the financial economy, worry about jobs, family, children, uncertainly of the future, the changeable state of health etc.
There is fear of death, fear of loneliness, rejection, anxiety, concern about our abilities to perform and measure up to being acceptable to others. There is personal guilt, I’ve heard countless times of people recognizing they have received forgiveness from God but cannot forgive themselves. We have guilt and carry around the burden of being unaccepted not only by others, but especially by ourselves. We feel worthless. We need peace within our own hearts to learn to accept ourselves with our limitations and with our abilities, realizing that God’s love is not conditional. It is not important to Him that we are A students or beauty contest winner or winning quarterbacks or perfect parents.
I would be dishonest if I said I don’t have inward unrest. I have often had sleepless time. I get up and pray and instead of focusing on the circumstances, I read the Bible and focus on Jesus, the Sovereignty of God, and the past times, which are many, when the Lord gave me His presence and promises to be with me.
I know that I am weak. 2 Cor. 12:9 reminds us of God’s presence, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
When one turns to embrace Christ, it is not only a present from God to you, but you can find ultimate inner peace when you understand His love and acceptance. For some strange reason we think we can handle things better than He can. When we try to control our life rather than simply submit to Him, we are robbed of our peace. The Bible says, “Let the peace of God rule in your hearts.” Who is sitting upon the throne of your heart?
Our Prince of Peace has come so that we could have peace within ourselves – so that we could change our self-image - so that we could see that we have value in God’s kingdom.
We have that same promise that the apostle Paul speaks of in Philippians 4:6,7 “Have no anxiety about anything but by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God and the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.”
Application: Making peace is also learning to forgive as we have been forgiven. Forgiveness is never earned. It is always a gift. Will you ask God for it?
Prayer: Lord, give me a spirit of forgiveness in all of my relationships, remembering that I have been forgiven in Christ.
