We search for peace in all sorts of people and things, each assured to fail, betray or desert us at some point. Those escapes and substitutes can placate us with temporary relief from the chaos in our lives but never can serve as the source of sustained peace.
True peace is not derived from pleasant life experiences that keep us entertained or shielded from the ills of the real world. Nor is peace the mere absence of fears, conflicts and trials; those challenges are an inevitable reality in life. Instead, peace is the presence of an inner calm and strength, a God-given assurance of His presence regardless of what we face. That peace comes from keeping our focus and faith centered on God alone.
That is the essence of peace, keeping our focus on God, the author and sustainer of our eternal shalom, not the distractions and disturbances that try to capsize our faith. Peace isn’t the absence of hostility but the presence of inexplicable tranquility. We find that peace when we concentrate on God’s promises instead of focusing on the world’s distractions.
Peace comes from keeping our eyes set on God alone. Like Peter walking on the water to Jesus until distracted by the winds (Matthew 14:25-33), we have to choose whether to focus on the disturbances that swirl around us, or concentrate wholly on the source of our eternal peace.
Lesson to Remember: Peace isn’t a matter of ignoring the distractions in life but staying focused on God.
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”—Philippians 4:7
