If Peace is a Promise – Why am I Worried?

Peace is a strange thing. We desire it, we want it, we strive for it, yet it can be elusive. Why? Maybe we are trying too hard. Jesus’ peace is a promise He made over 2000 years ago. “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid,” (John 14:27). Jesus left His peace with everyone who would choose to become one of His children. Many times we spend our days striving to “find” peace, when it is right there for us to grab hold of. Peace is a free gift God holds out to you. It is like the most beautiful gift, wrapped in shiny gorgeous paper, with ribbons and bows flowing from it. He holds it out to you right now, even in this very moment. Like every gift the Master holds out to us, we must be active in our acceptance. Accepting the gifts He has means taking them, unwrapping, and using them. What good would a birthday or Christmas gift be if you took it home and put it on a shelf unopened? Even if it was a book with the answers to all of your questions, or all the money you could ever want or need, it would not do you one bit of good unless you opened it and used it. Each day is new, filled with promises and hope. Reach out to Jesus, accept His gift of salvation and all the promises He has for you. Do not make the mistake I did and think that everything would be perfect without trouble or glitches. Realize that Christians also have trouble, yet we can have “peace that surpasses all understanding” when our hope and focus is on Him. Give Him control of your life and trust that He wants more and better for you than you can possibly think of or hope for. It is not easy to relinquish control, yet it is possible. What is peace to you? Have you ever really thought about your expectations? What would a peaceful life look like to you? Seek the will of Jesus for your life, keeping your focus on Him and He will fill you with His peace in all circumstances.