Challenges to Our Peace

It's difficult to maintain a sense of peace, no matter how perfect our personal space happens to be. We grow and change during each phase of life, so we often yearn for something new and challenging. God made it possible for change to occur throughout our lives, even when it disrupts our daily status quo.

We learn by living that peace is fragile in relationships and within ourselves. Winning an argument or gaining control doesn’t guarantee peace and contentment. Peace may never be achieved when pride and contempt are allowed to dominate.

If this is your situation, consider what Jesus said in Matthew 5:9. "Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called sons of God." A name for God is Jehovah Shalom, “the Lord is peace.”  How do you obtain his peace? This is his promise: "If you walk in my statutes and keep them, ... I will bless you with peace." Having peace with God, others, and oneself is a treasure of great worth.  

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 So now, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith in his promises, we can have real peace with him because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.

~Romans 5:1 The Living Bible

 

May the Lord himself, who is our source of peace, give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with you all.

~2 Thessalonians 3:16 Good News Bible

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Peace That Satisfies

The generation that came of age during the 1960's and 70's was introduced to political upheaval, war, and a challenge to the established spiritual  and social values. It was a time of disharmony, yet out of that generation came the Jesus Movement and the sign for peace based on the Hebrew word shalom.

Peace without contentment, however, is rarely satisfying, but it’s possible that a fragile peace with its limitations can give way to a lasting and secure state of harmony. Even when peace is fragile, it’s possible to find joy and fulfillment by serving others and the Lord rather than focusing on discontentment.

God’s name is Jehovah Shalom, “the Lord is peace.” When He becomes our peace then stress and strife are subject to becoming manageable. This happens by accepting Jesus Christ as the Prince of Peace. He then instills in us a new attitude and perspective on how to live and enjoy the peace he gives.   

     

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 “I have told you this, so that you might have peace in your hearts because of me. While you are in the world, you will have to suffer. But cheer up! I have defeated the world.”

~John 16:33 Contemporary English Version

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Peace, the Only Source for Happiness

Peace is a wonderful state of being that most of us take for granted, whether in our mind, our relationships or on a worldwide basis, until a crisis takes it away. Wherever peace exists, turmoil has trouble gaining a foothold. However, peace can be fragile where forces exist that have the power to steal it away.

Peace is the only source for sustained happiness, yet enticements abound that promise to satisfy our yearning for happiness. We’re soon disappointed, however, by realizing something else more promising exists to give us contentment and peace. It seems this process is never-ending.

The Hebrew word for peace is ‘shalom’. Jehovah Shalom is a name for God that means “the Lord is peace.” As an attribute of his being, God instills his peace within us. As we willingly yield more of our lives to Jesus the Prince of Peace, striving for that which is only temporary gives way to peace that is permanent.   

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God himself was pleased to live fully in his Son. And God was pleased for him to make peace by sacrificing his blood on the cross, so that all beings in heaven and on earth would be brought back to God.

~Colossians 1:19-20 Contemporary English Version

 

May blessing and peace of heart be your rich gifts from God the Father, and from Jesus Christ our Lord.

~1 Thessalonians 1:1 The Living Bible

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