Peace: A Rare Commodity

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3:16

“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.” (2 Thessalonians 3:16)

Peace is a rare commodity in our tumultuous world. Most people would give almost anything in order to experience peace. So many times people look in the wrong places for peace. The Scripture addresses peace in many places.

The above passage gives us a good start.

We learn that Jesus Christ is the source of peace for the believer.

In fact, we are instructed, “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” (Colossians 3:15–16)

Experiencing God’s peace is a CHOICE. We are to let the peace of God rule in our hearts. This is accomplished by being thankful and storing up the Word of God in our hearts so our minds can dwell on him and not on our problems.

Our minds are key. Whatever controls our minds controls us.

“If people’s thinking is controlled by the sinful self, there is death. But if their thinking is controlled by the Spirit, there is life and peace.” (Romans 8:6)

“You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.” (Isaiah 26:3)

We ought to ask the Spirit of Christ to control how we think, feel, and act.

Asking the Spirit to control our minds is a discipline. It takes practice to focus on the source of peace and not the particular matter that is troublesome to us at any given time. Scripture tells us how to tap into the peace God, “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 understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6–7)

Finally, we want to make sure we are not just hearers of the Word, but also doers. “Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Hebrews 13:20–21)

Peace flows with the life that is in harmony with the will of God.

As we practice these formulas to God’s peace, we will find that where worry and anxiety abounded, the peace of Christ will more abound more as we fix our minds on him and trust in him to navigate us through our problems.

Today, ask yourself:

Am I forfeiting experiencing the peace of God because I focus too much on the problems at hand rather than focusing my mind on the source of peace, the Lord Jesus Christ?