by Rose Noland
Guest Contributor

There’s a woman in the oncology office with her frail child—scarfed. She looks tired but has an uncanny look of serenity on her face. How does she do it? How does anyone do it in this world filled with so much strife, financial crisis, and cancer?

They can because God’s peace is different than what most of us think it is—the absence of conflict and turmoil.

Jesus said,

“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.”
John 14:27 NIV

The original words used in Scripture will help us to comprehend God’s type of serenity. Both the Greek and Hebrew words used for peace convey the idea of wholeness, completeness, or tranquility in the soul that is unaffected by the outward circumstances or pressures. [i]

Our Lord wants us to be whole, complete, and tranquil despite the crazy world around us.

 …May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way.
2 Thessalonians 3:16 NIV

To get this kind of peace—the peace of God—we must first be at peace with God. Unless we are in a right relationship with Him through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ we are in conflict with our Holy God (Romans 5:1). Once justified (made right) we can have this peace “which transcends all understanding” (Philippians 4:7).

I want this kind of peace! I’m sure you do to. But how?

It is a by-product of abiding in the Prince of Peace. It is supernatural. We cannot achieve it on our own. It is the fruit of the Holy Spirit as we walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16, 22). We not only need the power of Christ to save us from our sins, but to sanctify us—to make us like Jesus so we can also act like Jesus.

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 
1 Thessalonians 5:23 NIV

You see, our goal really shouldn’t be to get peace, but to obey the Prince of Peace. It’ll be a natural (really supernatural) outcome of remaining in a right relationship with God through obedience. If you seek God’s kingdom and righteousness first, then all things—including amazing peace—will be given to you as well (Matthew 6:33).

 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this [a new heaven and a new earth], make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.
2 Peter 3:14 NIV

Dear Jesus, we want Your kind of peace. The kind that is incomprehensible and baffling to the world around us. Teach us how to be and remain at peace with You, so You can shine through us in this dark world of chaos.

You are the Source
You made the Way
You are the Prince of Peace
You are our peace!

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Rose Noland is passionate about helping women experience the full riches of Christ. Despite losing her husband and soulmate of 30 years, Rose is living a joyous, rich life in her Savior. She loves to use her gift of gab to proclaim the name of Jesus Christ through teaching, speaking, writing, blogging—any way and anywhere God leads. Rose is also the author of two books and founder of He’s So Worth It Ministries.

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Scripture taken from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.

[i] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fruit of the Holy Spirit,19, Oct. 2013.