Peace is something we all seem to be in search of. The peace most people are searching for however is not always the same because most people’s definition of peace is often different. As a mom, there are many moments in the day when all I want is peace and quiet.
Yet from the minute my girls are awake until they fall asleep at night, if they are at home, that seems impossible. Then there are moments when if it is too quiet for too long I have to go searching for them. This seems crazy, but every mom knows exactly what I am talking about. Just like with this type of peace, what we are really looking for may vary. Therefore, we should use the Bible to discover what true peace really is and what it is not.
True Peace Is Not A Feeling
Our feelings are always changing and evolving. Feelings are much like the weather, if you wait long enough it will change. This constant change does not apply to true peace. Having true peace rooted in God and bearing as a fruit of the Spirit is a state of being.
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation.
2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NLT)
True God-given peace allows us to have a solid state of being despite our feelings.
I remember when we were moving to Massachusetts and it seemed like everything that could go wrong did. My husband, Eric, had to start his new job here while we were still in Georgia, so that meant he was gone 3-4 days a week. Leaving me at home with our girls, trying to sell our home in Georgia, and looking to buy a house in Massachusetts. To say my feelings, stress level, and emotions were all over the place would be an understatement.
Yet God had given Eric and I both clear direction that moving was the right thing to do and gave us a peace about moving. Our feelings were at times all over the place, but the peace we had remained our true state of being. This allowed us to see past our feelings and be at peace.
Real Peace Does Not Mean Life Will Be Free Of Conflict Or Storms
There are not many guarantees in life, but one I know is that there will be storms. Life has been and will be filled with tests to pass and obstacles to overcome. Yet despite the ups and downs of life, we can still have peace. God wants us to be so deeply rooted in Him that the peace He gives surpass the circumstances around us.
I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.
John 16:33 (MSG)
Just like with our move to Massachusetts, we all will experience many storms in life. Trusting in God and knowing that despite the storms we will come out of them better and stronger is a beautiful thing and a peace like no other.
God-given peace is true peace. It is not shaken by your circumstance or your situation. It is a peace that surpasses all understanding. A state of being that you rest in because you know God is in control.
I’d love to hear about what having true peace means to you in the comments!
Love this <3 I used to be so angry with God for putting me through everything that I’ve gone through. I didn’t realize that what he was doing was testing me to see what I could overcome. To make me stronger and bring me to the place I am right now. Which is the happiest I’ve ever been. I thank Him every day for putting those obstacles in my way because without them, as terrible as they were, I wouldn’t be who I am or where I am today. That’s the moment I found peace.
This is an amazing content, loved reading it
thank you for sharing
Thank you so much for your kind words, Parth. 💕
Amen! It’s far too easy to take our eyes off of Christ and look at our circumstances like Peter did. We certainly cannot maintain peace without fixing our gaze on the Prince of Peace.
very well written and reading your post will surely make everyone feel more at peace!
Thnks so much, Prerna, and I’m glad! 💕
It took me a long time to understand this. It is an important lesson though and well worth the trouble I went through to understand it.
Well written! True peace to me is when I’m loving myself. When that happens, all else falls into place.
Loving and taking care of yourself is definitely important, Shannon.
Peace is learning to rest in God and His will & provision no matter what’s going on around me! It’s a struggle most of the time.
Such a great way of describing true peace. These verses are perfect.
Thanks so much, Amanda. 💕
Yes! I LOVE that you say it’s not a feeling – so true! So often, I don’t FEEL peaceful. I should stop trying to generate FEELINGS and just accept GOD’s peace. Thanks!
Yes, Lila, and you are definitely not alone. I look too much to my feelings and let them guide me at times when they shouldn’t.
Very well written as always! You always have the most inspiring and heart felt posts, and this is one I needed to read today 🙂 Thanks!
Thanks so much, Megan for your kind words and I am so glad that this was able to speak to you when you needed it. 💕
This was such a timely post for me! I am seeking God for true peace right now about a decision we are making for our family. But I also know that my feelings go back and forth a lot about what to do. Thanks so much for reminding me of this simple truth. That verse is perfect!
Beautiful post
Beautifully written and all SO true! Love this. 🖤
Thanks, Leslie. 💕
Amen to this! True peace is being in the middle of the storm and yet knowing everything will be okay. True peace never changes, never wavers, and this constant. This is a beautiful explanation.
Yes, Jen! God never waivers and so does the peace we get from Him.
True! Hard times are a part of life. Pease is a fruit that was given to us. We have a choice everyday to choose to use it or not. I choose peace! Great post. Thank you for sharing.
I never really considered what true peace means. I think it’s something that is really hard to achieve in our world today, but with help from God, I think it’s a state of being!
Yes ma’am, Larissa. Trying to achieve it on our own will leave us missing the mark.
Beautiful article and a great reminder this time of year! I have a lot of blessings to reflect on this year. Thank you for this!
Reflecting on your blessings is such a great perspective to have this time of year, Kristine. I have been doing that a lot lately myself.💕
This is such a great reminder! True peace comes from the Lord, indeed!
For me true peace is a feeling. It’s the overwhelming feeling of God’s love and comfort no matter what cituation I am in that the storms of life may happen around me but that God is with me gives me true peace.
God definitely gives true peace in the midst the storms of life, Anne. God given peace can definitely affect how we feel, yet something that we can have despite how we are feeling. 💕
Lovely…I’d have to say for us peace is knowing that with God, ALL things do in fact work together for good. Even when it doesn’t look like it. I’m here in Southern California, surrounded by areas affected by these wild fires and while fear tries to creep in my thoughts I’m fighting for peace and giving it up to Him and His plan. No matter what, we will be just fine…there’s peace in that feeling.
So inspiring! Thank for reminding me that peace is not a feeling!
Beautifully written and given to me at such a time that I needed this! Thanks for sharing your vulnerability!
Such an inspiration and reminder of what peace really is. Peace to me is trusting God whole heartedly through the storm ❤️
I truly admire your faith, it’s amazing how strongly you believe, this past two years have been the hardest of my life, I relly could use some of your strenght. Maybe one day I’ll feel peace for longer tha a minute, but as you said “True peace is not a feeling, our feelings are always changing and evolving.” maybe my feelings will evolve soon
Beautifully stated, Ayanna. I too find my sturdiest and ultimate sense of peace deriving from my Faith. Faith assures us that we will be tested with tribulations and hard times, but that these hard times have purpose and meaning. Knowing that we go through things for a reason makes it a whole lot easier to withstand these times.
I LOVE how you said that true peace is not a feeling. This is so true and is a great encouragement. He is our peace. When our peace is found in Him, it cannot be shaken!
Absolutely true!!!
If I based my peace on my feelings I would be in a pretty horrible place.
But, thankfully, I put my peace with the ONE who brought peace.
Thank you for this reminder of true peace as my husband and I are seeking the Lord about a big decision. Your testimony encouraged me!
So true! Peace looks different to us all. It’s so important to understand and recognize what it “isn’t”. One of the best points you made was even in the midst of peace there can still be conflicts and storms. If we take refuge in God’s might wings, we will be at peace.
I love peace as in quiet and being a parent challenges that significantly. Peace for me means following g to my values which of course does not mean a conflict free life, just a life that is anchored.
Beautifully written and a great time of the year to read this as the holiday season is certainly quite stressful!
True peace to me is being one with God, stopping actually listening to what he is saying or better yet what he is not saying. It having harmony is all parts of my life.