Daily Devo
Maintaining Our Peace
By: Kim Garrett
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
“…and the peace of God. which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus”. Philippians 4:7 (NKJV)
I love being at home. My husband Bob and I work hard to create a tranquil environment so visitors will feel welcomed, peaceful, and relaxed. But candles, florals, and furnishings can’t guarantee peace and calm, can they? When the buzz of a breaking news update or the pings from our devices clash with our peaceful background music, there can be a major shift in our tranquility.
Jesus said, “Peace I leave with You. My peace I give to you…” (John 14:27). Paul reminds us to let the peace of God rule in our hearts (Col.3:15). But how do we do that? How do we let God's peace rule? Is it possible for us to maintain this divine gift in turbulent times? Scripture answers that question with a profound YES!
First, we self-reflect to make sure we’re in a "right standing" with God. Christ is our peace, so if He's not in charge of our life, we’re separated from the One who holds everything together (Colossians 1:16-17).
Second, we make a conscious choice to look past what is seen (the physical) into the unseen (the spiritual) and to keep our minds focused on Christ so we can have His peace. "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace." John 16:33
Finally, being spiritually minded helps us hold onto the peace God has given us. (Romans 8:6). When we read and meditate on God's Word, the Holy Spirit will quiet any turbulence in our hearts. Scripture is the primary way God speaks to us, but there’s a connection between knowing God through the scriptures and obtaining His grace and peace (2 Peter 1:2).
Examining ourselves on a regular basis is an important part of our faith. If we lack peace, we may need a spiritual checkup. Is our lack of peace symptomatic of something deeper? Has our faith faltered? Jesus tells us to not let our hearts be troubled, and He would never tell us to do something we can’t do. Our level of peace can serve as gauge to evaluate how we are doing in our relationship with God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control... Galatians 5:22-23
It’s not what’s in my home that guarantees my level of peace; it’s what’s inside my heart. The peace of God will guard our hearts, but you and I maintain that peace by maintaining our relationship with God.
Read: Philippians 4:8-9