Hold. Your. Peace.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. ~ John 14:27
My peace is threatened many times per day. If you're like me, you also experience intrusions in your life:
Where Peace Comes From
What we believers often fail to see is the fact that we already have been given the gift of peace. It's easy to choose anything other than peace by forgetting that God has granted it to us:
O Lord, you will ordain peace for us, for you have indeed done for us all our works. Isaiah 26:12
Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble. Psalm 119:165
My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places. Isaiah 32:18
Peace Is a Choice
After salvation, we exercise our free will by choosing obedience. Peace is God's choice for us; when we cooperate with Him by desiring the gift He has given, we experience peace as He meant for us to. He wants us to live in peace:
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. Colossians 3:15
Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. Psalm 34:14
Those who plan peace have joy. Proverbs 12:20
Peace Is Evidence of God's Work
As we practice choosing peace, we are conformed to the image of the Prince of Peace. The evidence of God's work in our lives is manifested by the fruit of the Spirit, including peace and self-control.
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3
Hold Onto Your Peace
If you or I lose our peace, it is because either we are disbelieving God's promises, or we have given it up voluntarily. No one takes it from us. Jesus gave instructions to His disciples concerning their ministry: what they were to take and not take, and what they needed spiritually for their experiences. They were to partake of hospitality in the places they ministered, sharing their "shalom" (peace) with that household:
And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. Matthew 10:13
These followers of Jesus were incapable of "losing" their peace; they simply decided who they would or would not share peace with. Jesus clearly taught His followers to exercise boundaries: if you cannot have or maintain peace with a person or environment, keep your peace and move on.
Thanks to God's promises and provision, we are not victims of circumstance, being blown around by every disruption that happens in our day! Our emotional and spiritual maturity are inextricably linked; therefore, it is imperative that we develop the discipline of holding onto the peace God has already given us, and believing the promise that it is ours!
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©2023 Julianne Knapp. first published 3.21.23
My peace is threatened many times per day. If you're like me, you also experience intrusions in your life:
- a rude driver
- a triggering comment
- an unexpected loud noise
- bad news
- a fearful thought
- a social media post
- a toxic person or environment
- a schedule disruption
- physical pain
Where Peace Comes From
What we believers often fail to see is the fact that we already have been given the gift of peace. It's easy to choose anything other than peace by forgetting that God has granted it to us:
O Lord, you will ordain peace for us, for you have indeed done for us all our works. Isaiah 26:12
Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble. Psalm 119:165
My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places. Isaiah 32:18
Peace Is a Choice
After salvation, we exercise our free will by choosing obedience. Peace is God's choice for us; when we cooperate with Him by desiring the gift He has given, we experience peace as He meant for us to. He wants us to live in peace:
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. Colossians 3:15
Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. Psalm 34:14
Those who plan peace have joy. Proverbs 12:20
Peace Is Evidence of God's Work
As we practice choosing peace, we are conformed to the image of the Prince of Peace. The evidence of God's work in our lives is manifested by the fruit of the Spirit, including peace and self-control.
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3
Hold Onto Your Peace
If you or I lose our peace, it is because either we are disbelieving God's promises, or we have given it up voluntarily. No one takes it from us. Jesus gave instructions to His disciples concerning their ministry: what they were to take and not take, and what they needed spiritually for their experiences. They were to partake of hospitality in the places they ministered, sharing their "shalom" (peace) with that household:
And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. Matthew 10:13
These followers of Jesus were incapable of "losing" their peace; they simply decided who they would or would not share peace with. Jesus clearly taught His followers to exercise boundaries: if you cannot have or maintain peace with a person or environment, keep your peace and move on.
Thanks to God's promises and provision, we are not victims of circumstance, being blown around by every disruption that happens in our day! Our emotional and spiritual maturity are inextricably linked; therefore, it is imperative that we develop the discipline of holding onto the peace God has already given us, and believing the promise that it is ours!
Get free weekly articles in your inbox by clicking HERE. Your information will never be shared.
©2023 Julianne Knapp. first published 3.21.23