Receiving Peace

Our son graduated from high school last month.  For those whose children have already crossed this milestone, you understand when I say that the past year has been a hectic march of joy, celebrations, frustrations, aggravations and even disappointments.  One of my biggest struggles during all of these was holding on to some sense of peace.  With the luxury of 20/20 hindsight, I can see that there are times I had much more success than others.  So, I began to wonder why, and could I learn anything from my experiences?

I know I talk about joy a lot, but right next to it on the list of spiritual fruit, is peace.  Jesus told the disciples in John 14:27 that He would leave peace with them and give them His peace.  Note that Jesus claims ownership of peace, “my peace”, and also the ability to give it. In the prophecy found in Isaiah 6:9, Jesus the Messiah, is called “Prince of Peace” and “the government will be on his shoulders”.  The weight and responsibility of rule will rest on the Messiah’s shoulders.  He will rule.  One of the things He will be responsible for is peace, He will be its Prince. So, Jesus has rule and ownership over peace.  He is able to give peace to us and He has promised to do so.  When He is in control, there is peace.

One thing I see is that Jesus gives us peace.  He is offering it to us.  However, we have to accept the offer and receive it.  Like anything given to us, if we do not take hold of it, grasp it, and take it into our possession, we don’t actually have access to it.  So what prevents me from accepting His peace?  It seems to center around my need to hold onto something else instead of making room in my hand to grasp onto peace.  I like to be in control.

Sometimes my lack of peace comes from wanting to have my own way, or to be in charge. I try convince myself that what I already have hold of is somehow better than what is being offered.  I need things to be the way they are.  I am familiar with the way things are, even if the current circumstances inevitably let me down and contribute to my lack of peace.  The world will tell me that whatever I am doing to satisfy my needs has to be better than anything God would have to offer me.  Maybe I like what I’m holding onto and just don’t want to give it up, even though I know it isn’t good for me.  How could God fill the need I have better than I am already?  

That leads me to the other major reason I don’t accept God’s peace, fear. What if I don’t  like what is offered?  What if it means something bad has or will happen?  These questions lead me straight to anxiety and a complete lack of peace.  The strange think is that all my fear, worry and fretting over a situation doesn't correct the situation or guarantee that I can keep something bad from happening  I feel even more out of control as a result, and peace seems farther and farther away.

So how have I successfully received peace? I’ve found in either scenario that the answer lies in one question God is asking me, “Do you trust me?” Settling this issue has always helped me. Sometimes it takes some reminders to honestly and truthfully be able to answer with a “Yes”.  To do this I have to find my happy place.  This is where I remember God is always in control, has a plan for me, nothing happens to me without His permission, and it will always be for the kingdom, and therefore, my good.  This is hardest for me when the “bad” think looks like suffering or loss.  God does not guarantee He will stop the bad things from happening, but do I trust Him to take care of me even when they do happen? What if the bad things last a long time?  Is my love and trust in Him strong enough to know I will not be alone or forsaken even during the bad things? I only have to remember how He has always been there for me and come through for me, usually bigger and better than I could have even imagined.  His past faithfulness gives me the ability to trust in His future faithfulness.

Once I can truly say “Yes, Lord, I trust you”, I find letting go of my agenda becomes much easier and God’s real peace is found.  Once I experience it, I know it is good, and my hope is to experience more.

Choose Joy! (and receive peace!)