Elusive Peace

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair, persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed"

Now I know that this verse seems counter-intuitive to peace. But I do not need to tell anyone that life is hard. A lot of our lives fit into one of the categories listed in 2 Corinthians we are pressed, perplexed, persecuted, struck down all the time in life here on earth.  But without great trails there would be no great victories. However, that does not mean we are without peace in the process of the hard times. Finding that peace is what I struggle with though. I know that there is peace but my life is filled with things that don't feel peaceful.


Christ give peace and rest to all who come to him in faith. Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus says, “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Sometimes I feel like I cannot lay my burden down and I cannot take on the yoke of Christ out of fear.

Isaiah 53:5 tells us that “the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by is wounds we are healed.” Jesus was punished for our sins so we could have peace. We should never fret about any wound or illness because by his wounds we are healed. That doesn’t always mean earthly healing, but we will be made whole by his wounds. Rest assured in that. “The message God sent to the people of Israel announced the good news of peace through Jesus Christ” is what Acts 10:36 tells us. The message of God is one of peace, but that peace is dependent on a relationship through Jesus Christ, but now I am getting ahead of myself.

Humble trust in the Lord gives us peace. Psalm 4:8 says, “I will lie down and sleep, for you  alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” I am as guilty as the next about losing sleep because of worry and lack of peace, but God alone will make us dwell in safety. Rest and sleep in his arms.

We as sons and daughters of God should expect the peace of God to be a part of our lives. The Lord intends for us to have peace. God promises peace to his people in Psalm 85:8, “I will listen to what God the Lord will say: he promises peace to all his people.” This promise of peace only comes with one condition and that condition is to trust in God. Isaiah 26 3-4 tells us that God gives peace to those whose minds are fixed on him, “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord is the Rock eternal.” What a promise! That is incredible the Lord is the Rock eternal now and forevermore. Why shouldn’t we have peace?


Submission to the Spirit leads to peace. Romans 8:6 reminds us that the mind controlled by the Spirit is a life and peace. Isn’t that what Christ came to give us? Life and life more abundantly. Life more abundantly is living in peace. 2 Thessalonians 3:16 says, “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way.” God is the Lord of peace and he wants us to have it at all times in every way possible. God himself gives peace as it says in Ephesians 6:23, “Peace be to the brothers (that is in Christ) and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."

How many people waste away their lives being anxious and worried? I am frequently anxious and I am guilty of being a worrier—and nervous worry at times even. But Philippians 4:6-7 says, “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” When I feel worried I look to this, and John 14:27 where Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” Does this always help me? No, honestly I cannot wrap my mind or life around peace. I have never consistently had peace in my life. I find peace to be extremely elusive. I believe it is what I am supposed to have, but I have not found a way to make it a permanent reality in my life.

But what verse do I take the most comfort in and gain peace from? “And it came to pass” which is found over 450 times in the King James Version. Nothing is here to stay. No trial, no victory… it will all come to pass. But God is steady, everything will pass in His time. No matter how bad things get, they too will pass.

Horatio Spafford wrote the words to It is Well, while on a ship across the Atlantic. Spafford had lost all material possessions he had in the Great Chicago fire, and he was headed back to England to meet up with his wife who had gone back to England several months earlier. He penned the words to this hymn of faith while passing over the place where his four daughters were lost in a shipwreck just months earlier. He says that as he passed over the solemn place the first thoughts were of his wife’s words to him in the telegram that told him of the shipwreck, “Survived alone.” was all it said. Then the next thought was, it is well. Talk about understanding the peace of God. He knew beyond a doubt that whatever happened it would be well with his soul. In a time and a place where he had nothing of earthly value to speak of, Horatio Spafford wrote with confidence that it was indeed well with his soul.