Eirēnē
Hey, are you living in a world that seems to be crashing around you?
Yeah, me too!
Do your days, like mine, come and go with strange things happening each day?
Are you faced with things that cause you worries and/or trauma? You can’t turn on a radio, a TV, or surf the internet without hearing about or seeing fires, floods. earthquakes, riots, wars, bombings, and violence against innocent people.
And yet, it’s all in the name of freedom. If we change things so that we can have the freedom to do what we want to do, we will have peace in our lives.
Sure, until we run into another roadblock and things have to change again and then the battles begin again. We have tension, frustration, anger, strife. Where’s the peace? Oh yeah, in the medicine cabinet . . . or . . . ?
Is that what God designed when He spoke and the world was created? No. I don’t believe that was anywhere close to what He designed. I think He had a very different idea. What you have read above, however, has become the “norm” for society. That’s the world and the “Prince of this world” speaking!
We, however, as believers, have a different path that changes all of that, if we follow the road He has set before us. The title of this word is Eirēnē -- the Greek word for "peace" in the Bible. It appears in both the Old and New Testament a multitude of times, and especially in the writings of Luke and Paul. It can refer to:
- A state of national tranquility, or freedom from war
- Peace between individuals, or harmony
- Security, safety, prosperity, or even
- Wishing someone well or blessing them.
The “Peace of God” encompasses all four of these definitions. We first see it referred to in Genesis where God tells Abram: "And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried.” And in Numbers with Aaron blessing the Israelites in the wilderness. What is referred to as “The Aaronic blessing”, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face shine upon thee and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee and give thee peace." And again, in Isaiah– God’s promise of perfect peace: "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee."
Paul writes about it in Philippian 4, "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus". This is the peace that God offers us. It’s a deep-seated quietness in our hearts that is there regardless of any outside circumstances. It comes up again in John 14, where Jesus assures His disciples, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." This is real peace and there is a supernatural quality to it -- One that is beyond human understanding. This peace comes from God and is rooted in Him. Because it comes from Him, it quiets the storms that pound onto our shores each day.
How do we get this peace? We get it through a deep relationship with God. We get it by developing a heart of gratitude. Paul instructs believers in Philippians 4, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Author Lysa TerKeurst emphasizes this connection between gratitude and peace, stating, "If there was ever a secret for unleashing God’s powerful peace in a situation, it’s developing a heart of true thanksgiving. By intentionally noticing and acknowledging the blessings in our lives, we align our hearts with God's presence, which in turn cultivates peace.* ”
The Bible tells us:
Have a steadfast mind: The prophet Isaiah provides insight into the relationship between our thoughts and experiencing peace. Isaiah 26:3 declares, "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in you." Focus on Him continually. e is PEACE.
Engage in Continuous Prayer: In 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18, believers are encouraged to "pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." Talk to Him, Let Him know what’s on your mind.
Rely on the Holy Spirit: Galatians 5:22 lists peace as a fruit of the Spirit. Pastor John Piper explains, "If the Christian life looks too hard, we must remember that we are not called to live it by ourselves. We must live it by the Spirit of God." If we surrender to the Holy Spirit, we allow Him to work in us and through us, producing the peace that reflects God's nature.
Trust in God's Sovereignty: Proverbs 3 gives us this advice, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. When we submit to Him, we lose the desire to control every part of our lives. He then guides us, bringing the peace that many seek but cannot find in worldly things.
Embrace a Christ-Centered Life: In John 14, Jesus assures His disciples, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives." He is the source of peace; if we align ourselves to His ways, we will have His peace.
Practical Things:
- Read the Bible regularly to internalize God's promises and truths. This gives you a foundation for peace.
- Keep a journal to record your daily blessings and answered prayers. Shift your focus from challenges to God's faithfulness.
- Establish a routine that includes dedicated time for prayer. Make a continuous connection with God.
- Release your worries and uncertainties to God. Trust in His plan and His timing.
- Surround yourself with fellow believers. They provide support, encouragement, and accountability in your spiritual journey.
- Engage in acts of kindness and service. Shift your focus from personal anxieties to the needs of others. Let them see Christ's love through your actions.
Now that I have given you the “How to experience it,” let’s look at the other side of the coin. What is it that separates us from it. The two biggest deterrents to having the peace of God are most often unbelief and/or misplaced trust. When we don’t fully trust in God—because of doubt, fear, or self-reliance—we struggle to experience His perfect peace.
However, scripture also points out six areas that will cause us to not bask in it:
Worry and Anxiety – Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” So, when we hold on to worries, instead of surrendering them to Him, His peace is replaced by stress.
Unforgiveness and Bitterness – Are we holding onto grudges or hurts that are not forgiven? If we are, that act creates turmoil in our hearts. Jesus tells us in Matthew 6, “For if you forgive others their offenses, your heavenly Father will forgive you as well. But if you don’t forgive others your Father will not forgive your offenses.” We need to forgive people that have either hurt us or offended us in some way. If we don't forgive them, it disrupts our relationship with Him, and we lose His peace.
Unconfessed Sin – Sin creates a barrier between us and God. Isaiah 59:2, “But your iniquities are separating you from your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not listen.” When we live with sin in our lives, or refuse to repent, we miss out on the peace that comes from walking closely with Him.
Lack of Trust in God's Sovereignty – Proverbs 3, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." If we struggle to believe that God is in control, we will try to control everything ourselves, leading us to stress and exhaustion, not the peace that He wants for us.
Worldly Distractions – By focusing on material things, status, or worldly pleasures we stop seeking God's kingdom first. Matthew 6 reminds us that we need to: “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.” The peace we are seeking comes not from the world, but comes from Him when we put Him first, above everything else.
Spiritual Warfare – Satan wants to steal our peace, John 10: “A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.” He does that by planting fear, lies, and doubts in our minds. When that happens, we need to put on the full armor of God so we can stand firm, as it says in Ephesians 6: “Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit—which is the word of God.”
Living in the peace of God is an ongoing journey that requires a deep relationship with Him. By grounding ourselves in Scripture, cultivating gratitude, maintaining a steadfast mind, engaging in continuous prayer, relying on the Holy Spirit, and embracing a Christ-centered life, we open our hearts to the awesome unshakable peace that only He can provide. This not only guides us through life's challenges but serves as a testament to others of the power we can have through a life surrendered to God.
What areas do you feel are most challenging to you in experiencing His peace? Spend some time talking to Him and ask Him to help you in those areas.
*The quote from Lisa TerKeurst is from a blog post titled "The Secret For Unleashing God's Peace In Your Situation”, published on February 21, 2014.
Ed Johanson