Merriam-Webster defines peace as “a state of tranquility, freedom from oppressive thoughts, and harmony in personal relations.” Biblically, peace means wellness or wholeness; it comes from being in God’s presence. Anything that comes between us and God threatens our peace, from our own thoughts to our busy schedules to sins committed by us or against us.
There is much we can do to increase and practice peace in our lives. But first, let’s take a closer look at it.
It comes from abiding in God.
Do not fear is not a command, it’s a comfort. It is the gift of God’s presence with us that brings us peace. Isaiah 41:10 says, “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Knowing God is with us and choosing to be with him can bring great peace to our mind.
But it is a choice. When we crowd God out of our everyday life, we lose the comfort of his presence. When we elevate other idols above God, we aren’t choosing to abide in him and don’t benefit from the peace of his presence.
The more we bring him into our life, the greater peace we will have.
One of my favorite verses is Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Peace requires action on our part–1) taking control of our thoughts and 2) inviting God into our life through prayer.
It increases with our obedience to God’s will.
Sin causes stress and chaos in our life, as well as the lives of those around us. In fact, just before Galatians 5:22-23 where Paul talks about the fruit of the Spirit, he lists acts of the flesh that are contrary to the Spirit in verses 19-21. You can read the whole list for yourself, but here are a few: sexual immorality, idolatry, hatred, selfish ambition, dissensions, envy.
When we are not living in accordance with God’s commands, peace will be lacking because we are living contrary to the Spirit. That’s not to say that a lack of peace means you are sinning, but it is a possible explanation to examine truthfully.
Sadie Robertson Huff recently said on a podcast, “The peace that comes from the ‘Do not be afraid’ is the ‘I’m going to be with you.’ But when you’re not walking with God, then why would you not be afraid?”
Galatians 5:25 says, “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” This requires an intentional walk on the path God has laid before us.
It isn’t attained by avoiding difficult things.
I score high in the peace-loving results of every personality test. This has a tendency to make me prideful when I read verses like, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the Sons of God,” (Matthew 5:9) or “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone,” (Romans 12:18).
But true, Godly peace isn’t created by avoiding conflict or conversations because they are difficult. I’m still learning this the hard way. I like to sweep disagreements under the rug and move on. I will most likely always be learning this lesson, because my version of “comfortable peace” shies away from conflict.
In Ephesians 4:15, Paul says, “Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.” We are not to shy away from conflict, but speak the truth in love–even when it is hard–to live in the fullness of Christ. Jesus never avoided conflict when it came to faith or doing what is right. Sometimes to stand firm in our faith, we have to take a stand.
True peace also isn’t the product of avoiding scary situations.
In a recent podcast interview with Emily P. Freeman, Dr. Hillary McBride said, “Being able to tell the difference between what is the relief that comes from my avoidance, and what is actually peace, is a whole life’s work.”
Sometimes we have to push ourselves into uncomfortable situations in order to grow or make progress in God’s plan for us. If we never go on the interview, if we avoid taking the leap, if we are too scared to get on the airplane…think of all of the wonderful blessings God has for you that could be lost. Being nervous about something is not the same thing as not having peace. Discerning the difference can be difficult, but the Spirit can help.
It is often what the enemy attacks.
On a recent Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey podcast, Pastor Shawn Johnson said, “we really aren’t fighting anxiety. It’s a God-given thing that Satan has twisted.” He talks about facilitating anxiety that God gives us vs debilitating anxiety that our enemy feeds.
In John 10:10 Jesus says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” One of our enemy’s favorite ways to attack us is through our mind, by stealing our peace. He places doubts, envy and fear in our minds and keeps pulling those threads until our peace is unraveled. In her book, Get Out Of Your Head, Jennie Allen says, “Evil never wants to be noticed, I should mention here. It sneaks in and hijacks our minds, and we barely notice anything’s amiss.”
We have to prepare ourselves daily for spiritual warfare. One resource we can visualize to help us prepare is the “armor of God” described in Ephesians 6:10-18. The armor described is all defensive except for our one offensive tool–the “sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” If you feel like your peace is being attacked, spend more time reading the Bible.
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you,” Isaiah 26:3 tells us. We have a choice about what our thoughts linger on. We have the God-given ability to stop negative thought patterns and lies from the enemy.
It isn’t a destination, but a constant journey.
As with all of the aspects of the fruit of the Spirit, peace isn’t something we can check off a list. We can’t master it outside of heaven.
It’s a constant battle to keep peace, and we won’t always win.
Sometimes, people need medical intervention to help them with mental struggles, and there is no shame in that. But every person has some ability and control over the peace they struggle to keep, and every person can invite the Spirit to increase within themselves–not just once but daily as part of the journey.
Greater peace IS available to us as part of the fruit of the Spirit. When we seek God by continually reminding ourselves of God’s truth, abiding with him and praying, the Spirit is able to more freely move within us, increasing our fruit. When we lay down our incessant desire for control over the world around us, begin controlling our thoughts and stop doing the acts that are contrary to the Spirit, we give God room to work in us and through us.
Jesus says in John 14:26-27, “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 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.”
Ideas to practice peace:
- Pause, close your eyes and take three slow, deep breaths.
- Sing the old hymn “It Is Well“.
- Walk barefoot, sit or lay on the grass outside.
- Go on a prayer walk. This is simple – just walk and pray to God.
- Read Psalm 23 aloud.
- Repeat breathe prayers. This can be any short prayer, such as inhale “Lord”, exhale “bring peace,”; “peace, be still” from Mark 4:39; or “Jesus, be near.”
- Pray for greater peace.
- Check your inputs and limit any that may be stealing your peace. Think outside the box, to even consider coffee, sugar, true crime podcasts or music.
- Talk to someone safe about what is causing you stress or anxiety.
- Listen to peaceful music or sounds of nature.
Lord, we thank you for the peace you provide to us. Help us to give you our burdens and stop our negative thoughts. Please protect us from the flaming arrows of the enemy and make us complete with your holy peace. You are the God of hope; please fill us with all joy and peace as we trust in you, so that we may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13). Amen.
Practicing the Fruit of the Spirit: An Invitation
Practicing the Fruit of the Spirit: Love
Practicing the Fruit of the Spirit: Joy
Practicing the Fruit of the Spirit: Patience
Practicing the Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness
Practicing the Fruit of the Spirit: Goodness
Pingback: Practicing the Fruit of the Spirit: An Invitation - Cassie Lynn Douglas
Pingback: Practicing the Fruit of the Spirit: Love - Cassie Lynn Douglas
Pingback: Practicing the Fruit of the Spirit: Joy - Cassie Lynn Douglas