The Way I See It, A Pastor’s Perspective
Southaven,MS
What is Peace?
Peace is pillowing your head at night preparing for a deep and restful sleep, content and secure in the knowledge that answers are coming to your prayers offered. Perhaps even those prayed long ago.
Peace is resting without worrying, trusting the One in control.
Peace is confidence in your prayers, knowing He will respond; in His time frame and according to His will.
Peace is a deep, calm breathing; assured the Master is on the scene.
Peace is not innate nor is it brought about by the purchase of safes or handguns or alarm systems, although those are wise things to have in my opinion. But true peace, the biblical peace we are discussing, is cultivated in realizing God loves you, and is watching over you, and is protecting you.
Peace, the peace that passes all understanding, is only obtained through suffocating the rising flames of fear and doubt with the fire-proof blanket of your trust in Him.
Peace comes from seeing prayer after prayer answered in ways that were the best answer, not always the answer you sought.
Peace develops when you realize the Lord truly is in control and has not only the ability, but the desire, to protect you and keep you.
Peace is a result of knowing the depth of His love for you.
Peace should be sought with all your heart, but in honesty it’s a gift. A gift from the One who continually says to fear not. He then responds to your faith and your trust and your ‘fearing not’ with His peace.
Paul gives us a formula for obtaining peace…..
“Be anxious for nothing, 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 comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7
David gives us another path to peace. He recorded this promise in his Psalm, instructing us how to garner His grace, mercy and peace, which will be wrapped in His lovingkindness…..
“But the lovingkindness of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children, to those who keep His covenant and remember His precepts to do them.”
Psalms 103:17-18
So it is gifted in our fear or awe of Him, in our heart of thanksgiving, in our keeping His Covenant, and in doing his precepts; His decrees and commands. That obedience ensures we will have His peace. That, by the way, is a heart of worship; the heart that is in awe of Him and obedient to Him. That is a clear path to peace.
Jesus said this….
“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”
John 14:27
That is a crucial key; to not be fearful!! We are told to ‘fear not’ over 80 times in Scripture! So your fear is actually disobedience, and that disobeying will not bring peace, but strife!
The contrast to a peaceful heart is a heart filled with stress, fear, worry, and anger. A tormented heart such as that will lead to restless sleep, jumbled nerves, illness, anxiety attacks, broken relationships, jealousy; the list is endless.
I own a Harley Davidson Fatboy Motorcycle. I love riding the back roads of North Mississippi when time permits, but I must navigate heavy local traffic each time I venture out to those beloved country roads.
Peace is what allows me to throw a leg over the saddle of that bike each time, confident He will watch over me and protect me. Yes, it is up to me to be well trained, riding defensively and riding alert, but there’s an abiding trust in me that says He will protect me from things not in my control. It was true when I was racing regularly as well. The person who is no longer able to race due to fear is described as one who “lost his nerve”. You may have lost your nerve in things having nothing to do with racing or motorcycling. Perhaps you fear sickness or poverty or job loss. Only Christ can calm your nerves and bring you to the place of confidence and trust you need to fight your fears, no matter what you’re facing.
Strive to be filled with peace; strive to trust God in ALL your ways, that His peace might be yours.
Strive to fear not!
True peace comes from total trust in Him, and it produces a content and satisfied heart.
And that’s the way I see it!
Chaplain Mike Upchurch
Team RFC®
Racers For Christ®
