A Sweet Peace

“…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

Fear and nerves can be powerful emotions.  They can grip our minds and make us feel edgy, tense, depressed, and sometimes even angry.  How do we push these negative emotions away?  How do we find a way to be calm?  How do we find a sweet peace?

Jesus tells us in John 14:27, “My peace I give to you.”  That simple phrase alone should cut down all fear and anxiety.  He GIVES us His peace.  We don’t have to win a contest for it.  We don’t have to take a number and He’ll get back to us.  We don’t even have to pay for it.  He just gives it to us.  If you ask me, that’s mind-blowing! 

When we need peace, we simply ask Him for it.  Paul tells us in Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  He’s ready, waiting, and willing to take all our fears, worries, anger, and frustration and in return give us a calm and peaceful heart.  All we have to do is tell Him.  Again, mind-blowing!

I can’t tell you how many times I have called to my Jesus for peace, and time after time He has given it to me…no matter the place or the occasion.  It’s a crazy feeling because while I should be scared out of my skin, my heart instead feels calm, cool, and collected.  And just like Paul says, that TOTALLY surpasses all my understanding.  It is then I know, however, that He has heard my prayers and petitions and has given me that sweet peace I need. 

Unfortunately, trials and sorrows will find their way into our lives, Jesus said so in John 16:33; however, He promises to be there to give us His peace.  So…if you’re in a scary or frustrating situation, coming out of one, or are about to enter one, I want to leave you in this post by echoing the words of Paul in 2 Thessalonians 3:16, “Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all!”