"There's no dollar sign on a peace of mind, this I've come to know." This surprisingly rare bit of wisdom snuck into our popular culture through a recent song.
It is well understood that wealth does not bring lasting happiness, contentment, or the ever-elusive peace; but what does bring peace in our lives?
What makes for the calm, serene and harmonious state that our fast-paced chaotic society constantly pursues? What does God, the One we turn to for answers and spiritual fulfillment, say about peace?
True Peace Comes From God
Only God can grant genuine peace in our lives. In exchange for Israel's righteousness, God promised to bless them with peace. It was not an automatic right at all times, but a conditional promise. Notice also that God chooses when to give peace. Sometimes peace is withheld so that we can focus on an issue in our lives. God sent dreams and visions to ancient kings in hopes they would take action to repent and draw near to Him. God communicates with us today through His BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ..
Put God First in Your Life
After realizing that God is the only true source of peace, it makes sense that having a personal relationship with Him is the key to having inner peace. "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You" (Isaiah 26:3). We have to look to the source of our peace to restore and replenish our supply. It is crucial to internalize that inner peace is gained by relying and trusting God and being in harmony with the Creator.
You Must Seek Peace
Peace of mind requires us to put forth effort. Psalm 34:14 says, "Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it." We must be actively striving to obtain peace with God. We can pray and study to understand God better. We can strive to keep the events of our lives in the frame of the big picture, knowing that God is in control. Complaining passively about our many anxieties without making an effort ourselves is counterproductive.
God desires that we have an abundant life—and this includes genuine peace. When we are listening, He speaks peace to us in many ways, responding to the longing in our hearts and giving us the hope and comfort of His coming Kingdom to fill our need for peace.
The peace that Christ promised His disciples and now offers to us is unlike any physical security from wealth or possessions. Christ has overcome the world, and when our trust is placed in Him, we learn He is faithful to fulfill His promises. "Then God's peace, which goes beyond anything we can imagine, will guard your thoughts and emotions thorough Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7, New International Version). The great power and strength needed to endure the difficulties of life comes from possessing godly peace! UN
