When Jesus said,

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
‭‭John‬ ‭14:27‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

I believe that no truer words were ever spoken. Many people even believers equate the lack of opposition and trials as peace. But in all honesty, that is the worlds peace and not what Jesus gave.

This is His peace:

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.””
‭‭John‬ ‭16:33‬ ‭NLT‬‬

God’s peace doesn’t exclude the presence of trials and opposition. Peace is not a feeling. It is deciding to be in a position of trust.

When you

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3:5-6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

You get God’s peace because you have chosen to trust Him no matter what comes your way because you believe He has something bigger in the works.

Even on the cross Jesus had peace. He trusted His Father. He left it all in God’s hands. He faced the greatest opposition but yet His peace remained. The presence of peace doesn’t mean you are free from trouble.

My favorite line in one of my favorite songs by Maverick City Music is

“Yes I’ll still bless You
In the middle of the storm
In the middle of my trial

I’ll still bless You
In the middle of the road
When I don’t know where to go”

There was a time where I even likened God’s peace to that of the lack of opposition but it’s no longer that way for me. There are moments where I begin to think that way but then I remember what Jesus said.

So, what am I saying? That God’s peace is not the absence of trials and tribulations but the assurance that irrespective of what you go through, He’s with you through it all and your victory is assured.

Kindly check out this sermon that inspired this post. The links are below:

Be blessed! Happy New Month 🎉