These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world. -John 16:33
When you’re suffering greatly, which I know so many of you are, inner peace is hard to find. Yet among His last words and testimony, Jesus provided a path to peace.
First, the peace we want and need is in Him, literally. John 14:27 says, “My peace I give to you.” The peace He offers is the very peace He experiences in His secure control over the universe. Do you think He frets or worries about the future? Never. He does not panic when things are tough. When we cling to Him for peace, He transfers His calm assurance to us. It’s supernatural.
Next, realize that peace does not come because He removes our troubles. Some teach that God offers us trouble-free existence, if only we have enough faith. Wrong. Never fall into the trap of thinking circumstances must change to experience peace. He is clear that He allows hardships, “In this world you have tribulation.” Yet “the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds.” This peace, God’s peace, doesn’t make sense from a human standpoint; it “surpasses understanding” (Philippians 4:7). Harsh circumstances may rage all around us, even in our bodies, yet we can remain calm and serene. History is full of stories of Christ seekers who were tortured, even martyred, while simultaneously displaying a miraculous calm. They did it with His peace, and we can too.
Finally, He tells us to “take courage.” Some Bible versions translate this phrase “be of good cheer.” How can we be of good cheer when our world is falling apart? Because He has ultimate control over our world! “He has overcome the world.” He overcame by enduring the pain and storms of this world with poise and grace, and we can too… but only through Him. Eventually He will enforce His dominance over the universe and remove every hardship, so the wonderful news is suffering is temporary.
So let’s stop trying to generate our own peace, or trying to find it in this world. His peace is free, it is beyond circumstances, and it works!
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Our peace in Him is so true! I thank Him everyday for the tribulation that he took Bob and I through, for it taught me how to experience the peace in Him that He has given to us. I continue to have that peace, and I find life here on Earth to be much more acceptable!
Thanks, Joe.