Peace.

What comes to mind when you think of peace? Is it an external thing? No more war? Hatred? Evil?

Or is it an internal thing? No more war? Hatred? Evil?

Most of us want world peace. I mean…isn’t that the standard beauty pageant answer? But what control do we have over everyone else’s peace.

We don’t.

We can only control ourselves.

During advent, my pastor spoke about peace. He didn’t say anything I didn’t already know. In fact, I’ve even blogged about it. Still…it hit me anew.

“And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.” – Colossians 3:15

 LET.

That’s the key word here. Let. If we want peace, if we’ve accepted Christ as our Savior and the Holy Spirit resides within us, we have access to peace.

Permanent, all-the-time, no-matter-what-the-circumstances peace.

But we have to LET it rule in our hearts.

That means…the things inside us that war with the Holy Spirit…the things we want for ourselves…the things that might seem unselfish, but…at heart…they are… These things need to be put aside, lifting what God wants above all else.

“What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you?” – James 4:1

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” – Romans 12:2

Not an easy task. But it’s possible. Or God wouldn’t have instructed us to do so.

“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:13

 We don’t even have to supply the strength to do it. God will.

Ever since hearing that message, whenever I get wound up about something: following someone driving 20 in a 30 mph zone, or fretting about my daughter driving home in the snow, I remind myself by chanting in my mind, “Let the peace of Christ rule your heart. Let the peace of Christ rule your heart.”

Surprisingly, it tends to work. I need more practice. But it is my mission to keep working at it until Christ returns.

Imagine for yourself: A continual peace in your heart despite whatever troubles would otherwise keep you up at night with worry, or make you lash out at others, or make you bitter.

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.” – Ephesians 4:31

Imagine your little world: What if everyone did this? What if we all let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts. Petty arguments wouldn’t arise. Gossip wouldn’t occur. Revenge would be unthinkable. Forgiveness would abound.

“A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.” – Proverbs 15:1

“Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.” – Hebrews 12:14-15

Imagine the world at large: If EVERYONE lived as the Bible calls us to live… Wow. War, racism, hatred, oppression, etc. These terrible things would all cease to exist.

This is a pipe dream, of course. Not a reality in this world. Even if every human heart was changed we’d still have illness, weather, etc. But we can all do our part. And it starts with us. From the inside. Once we get that right, we can affect change on the outside. But when we fail, it’s okay. We have forgiveness. And we still have the peace of Christ which surpasses all understanding. If we LET it rule. We just have to pick ourselves back up and try again.

“Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:7 

I pray everyone who reads this will experience the peace of Christ that exceeds understanding as we allow His peace to rule in our hearts. I pray it will be well with your soul. No matter what.

You are loved,

J F Rogers

When peace, like a river,
attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot,
Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul

 Chorus: It is well (it is well)
with my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul

Though Satan should buffet,
though trials should come,
Let this blessed assurance control,
That Christ has regarded
my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

 My sin, oh the bliss
of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross,
and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

And Lord haste the day
when the faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound,
and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

 -It Is Well With My Soul by Horatio Gates Spafford