How to Live in God’s Peace

There has never been a time I can remember that the world we live in has been in more turmoil and conflict: Wars and rumors of wars, gas prices, food prices and inflation at an all-time high. Political leaders of both parties holding one another in contempt, rather than working together to resolve major problems in our nation. Residual fears regarding Covid and the mask and vaccine mandates across the globe. These and other challenging circumstances work to produce fear and anxiety in people.

Jesus told us how to deal with and respond to such issues in life: “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” – John 14:27. Paul confirms this statement by Jesus in II Cor. 13:11 when he tells us to, “…live in peace…”.

The world’s idea of peace is the temporary absence of problems and difficulties. Jesus and Paul’s idea of peace is the presence of God in the midst of problems and difficulties. The number one plan of the enemy is to move us out of God’s peace. If he can accomplish that through the problems he stirs up in relationships or in the world, he can take advantage of us through our response of fear and anxiety. One example of this is found in Mark 4:35-40 where Jesus directs His disciples to get in the boat and go to the other side.

They started off in faith because they were professional fishermen who knew the signs of the weather, and yet they got in the boat knowing a storm was coming. But when it became a great windstorm that caused their boat to be filled with water, they allowed the storm to move them out of God’s peace. They allowed the storm to get into them. Once they moved out of God’s peace instead of staying committed to the Word Jesus gave them, they allowed the storm to dictate to them two things according to Mk. 4:38:

1. “Lord, You don’t care.”
2. “We’re going to die in this storm.”

From a place of peace, Jesus arose and spoke peace to the storm and there was a great calm. He helped them to see they had left peace, left their faith in His Word, and entered into fear. He expected them to steward the peace in their hearts and take authority over the storm the same way He guarded the peace of God in His own heart and from that place of peace, stilled the storm.

How to Live in God’s Peace/Guard the Peace of God in Your Heart:

• Enter your prayer closet and shut the door on everything you are tempted to be anxious/worried about – Mat. 6:6; Phil. 4:6
• Cast all of your cares and worries upon the Lord – I Pet. 5:7
• Worship the Lord until your predominant thought is thankfulness to Him for Who He is to you and all He has done and is doing for you – Phil. 4:6
• Then the peace of God which surpasses your understanding will kick into gear and guard your heart and mind from anxiety and fear! – Phil. 4:7

God’s peace is not passive. It is Spirit power and is a weapon against the enemy.

“The God of peace will crush satan under your feet shortly.” When you maintain peace in the midst of the attacks and accusations of the enemy, it reinforces his defeat and bruises his head under your feet!” (Romans 16:20).

Philippines 1:28 declares, “and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition (their destruction), but to you of salvation, and that from God.” When we respond in peace to the devil throwing the kitchen sink at us (every circumstance imaginable) it is proof to him that he is defeated. It shows him that he is the real loser, not us, and it establishes our authority over him. We are more than conquerors through Him Who loves us. I encourage you to live in God’s peace by guarding your heart from anxiety and worry. The result will deal a death blow to the enemy. I speak great grace to you to guard your heart in God’s peace!