Simple Steps To Perfect Peace

Is anyone else tired of living through historical events? Seriously! A global pandemic, social tension, cultures at war, countries at war, inflation, political unrest, economic uncertainty...the list goes on and on. Every day feels like we just unlocked a new level of Jumanji.  

In times like these, peace seems like a far-removed concept. How in the world can we have peace when things seem to be getting worse by the day? God’s word tells us that not only is peace possible in times like these, but He gives us PERFECT peace. That sounds pretty outrageous, doesn’t it? But it’s possible!  

You’re probably thinking, “Yes, please! If there’s one thing I need, it’s perfect peace!” God has a simple strategy for perfect peace, and it’s found in Isaiah 26:3. “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You!”  

God will keep you in perfect peace when you trust in Him – not in the amount of money that is (or isn’t) in your bank account. Not in the person sitting in the oval office of the White House. Not in the economy or the price of things you need to live. Not in activists promising positive changes to culture & society. Not in the test results you got from the doctor. Trust ONLY in Him. Because when our trust is in anything or anyone other than Jesus, we’re going to end up discouraged & disappointed.  

I know it’s hard not to get stressed out and discouraged when you see everything going on in our world, our country, our culture and our communities. Things are bad! BUT...God is still good! Remember, everything on this side of heaven – including our suffering – is only temporary. It's producing for us an eternal glory that's greater than anything we can imagine. We don't look for things that can be seen, but for things that can't be seen. Things that can be seen are only temporary. But things that can't be seen last forever. (2 Corinthians 4:17-18) 

Earlier I mentioned just a few of the things that have many people’s minds & spirits so weighed down these days - sickness, social tension, cultures at war, countries at war, inflation, political unrest, economic uncertainty, etc. - and there’s one thing that all of these things have in common: not a single one of them ever lived for you, died on a cross to save you, and rose again three days later to give you eternal life. So why do we let those things steal our peace? 

God’s goodness is going to last far beyond the ebbs & flows of economics, so fix your thoughts on Him. His faithfulness far exceeds the promises of any politician, so fix your thoughts on Him. His justice is going to right every cultural & social wrong, so fix your thoughts on Him. Jesus will have the final victory in every war, so fix your thoughts on Him. Friend, don’t let anything or anyone in this world steal the perfect peace that He gives you!