“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

“Can’t I just get a little peace?!” Whether it is trying to make ends meet, take care of the kids, put time in at work, deal with those little day-to-day inconveniences, or a combination of all of the above, our lives can get pretty hectic. Or maybe “hectic” is too tame a word for the troubles you may be experiencing in your life. Perhaps you are worried, sick, sorrowful, or angry. So how do you go about finding peace? You could lose yourself in a good book, see a counselor, do yoga every morning, go to seminars to learn how to get out of debt, vent to friends and family, give yourself some me-time each day…the list could go on.

Right before the start of Chapter 14 of John, Jesus’ disciples have just received the troubling news of his impending death. In the above passage, Jesus promises his peace. The world’s peace is fleeting and meaningless, but Jesus’ peace is different. Jesus’ peace comes from his amazing, limitless love. Jesus gives us the peace of the Holy Spirit, the ultimate Counselor, who enters our hearts and creates faith. When we hear the Gospel message, we are reminded of all Christ has done for us. He lived a perfect life, died a sacrificial death to forgive all our sins, and rose again to conquer death and win the victory over the Devil. As a result of Jesus’ work, God no longer threatens us with the condemnation we have earned by our disobedience. Rather we are at peace with God through faith in Jesus. Even now Jesus is preparing a place for us in heaven. We have the peace of knowing what comes next after this life has ended. We have the peace of God’s promises to be with us and work out everything for our good. Jesus says, “Do not be afraid.” With God on our side, what have we to fear?

While yoga and venting sessions and self-help solutions may offer temporary peace, we find true peace—the peace of Jesus—in God’s Word. Immerse yourself in it! Let that be the start and end to your day. Talk to God in prayer; he’s the best listener there is. Let him be your first go-to person when you feel troubled. Consider all the blessings, both spiritual and physical, that God has given you. While the world around us is in turmoil, Jesus gives us peace within. It is such good news that we can’t keep it to ourselves. Share that peace with others! Show them a peace that comes with certainty and trust—certainty that a life of glory awaits us in heaven, and trust that Jesus will be with us every step of the way there.

Prayer:
Lord, you I love with all my heart; I pray you ne’er from me depart;
With tender mercies cheer me.
Earth has no pleasure I would share; heaven itself were void and bare
If you, Lord, were not near me.
And should my heart for sorrow break, my trust in you no one could shake.
You are the treasure I have sought; your precious blood my soul has bought.
Lord Jesus Christ, My God and Lord, my God and Lord,
Forsake me not! I trust your Word. (Christian Worship 434:1)

Written by Megan Wohlrabe
Reviewed by Professor Lyle Lange