Recognizes that God is always there despite what I’m going through and our circumstances.
Isaiah 54:10
Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
The state of perfect calm - that isn’t what this peace is, that is vacation that you’re thinking about. God wants to do something different in our lives - in the midst of whatever we’re going through, we can have that peace. God’s presence gives us strength and security.
My sense of inner calm tends to go up or down depending on the circumstances. Picture in your mind, work or party with 20 crazy kids; then picture yourself at the beach, or overlooking
That peace is not determined by your situation, but in it. God’s peace is powerful, even over your emotional storm. God wants to give it to us when everything seems to be falling apart.
How to experience this peace:
You have to make peace with God - can’t have peace with God without the peace of God.
Romans 5:1 - Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; we need a peacemaker or we may have to get a pacemaker. God took the initiative, the first step to make peace with us; Colossians 1:20 - and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. None of this is based on what we did or can do, all by the gift of salvation through Jesus.Get rest for your body; not a spiritual or emotional problem as people think peace comes from. Decide to take a Sabbath day each week; the Bible says, Ezekiel 20:12 - Also I gave them my Sabbaths as a sign between us, so they would know that I the Lord made them holy. Choose a day, our designer has told us to do so. Our body may be able to handle for a little while long, but the soul is and will be depleted. It’s easy to be addicted to busy. Example - gas and oil; you can run it without oil, but it wouldn’t run very well, eventually it will not run at all when both run out. This was a reminder to us who God is and who we are (He is the Lord and has a special purpose for us). Psalm 127:2 In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat - for he grants sleep to those he loves. Proverbs 14:30 - A heart at peace gives life to the body; a feedback loop that gives us strength for what God wants to do in our lives. Take a nap.
Receive peace as a gift. By faith and apply it to my life. Jesus is giving this gift to us. John 14:27 - Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. This is not a fragile peace. It is a rock, something you can stand on during a hurricane. Need to understand the battle that is going on to receive it - the battle is not on the outside, but inward. Worry, trouble, anxiety, fear - the exact opposite of what we need. Ask for calm as Jesus did. Mark 4:39 - He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He taught us what can happen in our heart if we ask and trust Him. God can bring us peace in the midst of the worst storms we go through. Why just weather the storm when God can calm it.
Tell God what we need: God gives us a prescription to let go a worry and enjoy His peace - Philippians 4:6-7, do not be anxious about anything, in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Don’t worry about anything, pray about everything. Am I, are you struggling in this area? Pray in advance - be proactive, not reactive; don’t wait until everything’s about to self-implode or explode. DO pray for peace in your life, whatever your circumstance you’re in
Choose to focus my thoughts on Jesus. Isaiah 26: 3 You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. 4 Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal; Jesus enjoyed God’s peace, we can too - He doesn’t change our circumstances but our focus (keep our eyes on Jesus); Colossians 3:15: Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the peace of Christ be the umpire, He makes the call for you/us. Jesus, please umpire our/my soul. Focus on Jesus, not my problems, worries, challenges, and listen to what He told us. We feel God’s presence in our diffulties/sufferings.