Don’t we all just want a few minutes of peace?
No bickering between the kids. No stress with the husband. No to-do list left undone in a clutter-free house.
So if peace is a fruit of the Spirit, why do I often feel I lose mine? And where did mine go last week when my computer died—the very week I was studying peace?
Shalom
The Jews in the Old Testament called it shalom. They used it as a common greeting (Judges 19:20) and still do today. Deeper than our typical “How are you?” shalom was more a blessing of “May you be prosperous in all things.”
But in the New Testament, peace (eirene) took on even greater depth. (Did you know peace is mentioned in every New Testament book except 1 John?) The apostle Paul coupled it with grace in his greetings—“Grace and peace to you.” And rightly so.
Through grace, we receive the gospel of peace (Ephesians 6:15) from the God of peace (Philippians 4:9). Christ not only left His peace with us (John 14:27), but He is Himself our peace (Ephesians 2:14).
More than a feeling
So when our circumstances turn chaotic and our sons are sent to war and hearts are troubled from broken laptops, don’t look for your peace there. Our peace was never meant to rest in those things anyway.
Because our peace—peace the world can’t give—is more than a feeling.
It’s a person.
And in the person of Jesus Christ, our deepest peace can’t be disturbed (John 16:33). It’s secure. If we’ve come into relationship with Him, we have a wellness in our soul beyond our understanding, even when our outside is stressed.
Peace in the presence
God’s peace is above our intellect—don’t try to figure it out (Philippians 4:7). You won’t succeed.
But you can trust that it’s there. That He is there.
Because peace isn’t the absence of trouble.
Peace is the presence of God.
Even when the dog is barking and the car is overheating and the laptop is dying, God’s peace runs deeper still.
Trust Him to guard it for you. So you can worry less; worship more. Think on good things, not on figuring things out.
God’s got you covered.
He’ll keep giving you grace.
And He’ll always be your peace.
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:2
What did you glean from studying peace last week?
Please share any insights from Philippians 4:4-9.
How do you see the fruit of peace in your life?
I love this Lisa! Yes, peace is a fruit of the Spirit. And how easy it is for our human flesh to get caught up in the stress of living and lose our peace. It’s amazing how we bloggers miss our computers when they aren’t working. But not having one for a few days will open up more time. I’ve had that happen too. Thank you for including all of the Scriptures for reference on peace. And in the meantime …shalom!
Blessings and love,
Debbie
Yes, Debbie, we bloggers definitely can get attached to our computers.
When we were in El Salvador this summer, it felt very strange to be without my computer for a week (although I did borrow one from time to time to ease my withdrawal symptoms!) but it also felt liberating and peaceful to detach for a bit.
Last week was a good reminder for me (again) to not rely so heavily on my “things” but rather on my God.
Shalom, sweet friend.
I discovered that Peace is actually conditional. If you read in Philippians we must ASK, then we receive. We must hear, listen and obey, then we will receive.
I also learned that if we want peace of mind, we have to conquer the enemy’s attacks on our thought life and we also have to CHOOSE to reprogram our mind.
I wrote much more on my blog about this week’s study… combined with my “Making My Home a Haven” peace challenge… God is just pouring into me what it means to just rest in Him and discover His Peace!
Blog Link: http://princesspartygirl.blogspot.com/2011/10/abiding-fruit-peace.html
Glad you added your link here, Bekah. We definitely need to take responsibility for our CHOICES in what we’re thinking about.
This section of Philippians is so powerful to point that. Now we have to choose what we will do with it….
Love this: “worry less; worship more.”
I’m glad God’s peace is rooted in Christ though I get distracted by surface issues some times.
Those surface issues sometimes seem to run deep in the moment of heightened emotions, but I’m glad they’re really not. His peace is always deeper.
Ha, it was so funny! My internet went out this week too which caused me anxiety one day and when it continued, I just decided it was time for me to relax and enjoy more time with my son and take naps. I know I haven’t even scratched the surface of God’s peace, but I am trying to put into practice what I’m learning. I have a few physical problems right now and I am trying not to worry, but thank God for what he has given to me, but also ask for healing in this area! I love this study. I was trying to figure out what peace was. I like what you said, Lisa- peace is the presence of God.
We had a week without internet (and electricity) in April after the tornadoes came through Alabama. At first it was so hard to see my computer looking at me, but not being able to turn it on or get internet if I could.
But like you, it was a wake-up call for me to chill. God knows what’s best for us, huh?
I pray that God will grant you healing with your physical problems, but that in the meantime he will keep growing you in the discovery of his peace. Sounds like you’re well on your way!
I’m really enjoying the study too. It’s always beneficial for me to hear what others are gleaning from the same passages. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Shonda.
Lisa, this passage in your post ministered to me in due season:
“More than a feeling
So when our circumstances turn chaotic and our sons are sent to war and hearts are troubled from broken laptops, don’t look for your peace there. Our peace was never meant to rest in those things anyway.
Because our peace—peace the world can’t give—is more than a feeling.
It’s a person.
And in the person of Jesus Christ, our deepest peace can’t be disturbed (John 16:33). It’s secure. If we’ve come into relationship with Him, we have a wellness in our soul beyond our understanding, even when our outside is stressed.
Peace in the presence
God’s peace is above our intellect—don’t try to figure it out (Philippians 4:7). You won’t succeed.
But you can trust that it’s there. That He is there.
Because peace isn’t the absence of trouble.
Peace is the presence of God.”
God is continuing to lead me to Be Still, Trust and Obey. I must practically practice Phil 4:6-8:
Philippians 4:6-8:
6Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
I am and continue to be renewed and blessed by the “Abiding Fruit Bible Study”. Thanks Lisa, Katie and all the other contributors!!!
“Be still, trust and obey.” Such a worthy goal for all of us, Gertha. I think I need to tattoo Phil 4:6-8 on my forehead. ;-)
I appreciate you joining in with us on the study. It is encouraging to know we’re all in this together.
What a fascinating tidbit… “peace” in all the books of the NT except one! And what a miraculous truth: our peace is not a feeling, it is a person. Peace isn’t the absence of trouble, it is the presence of God. Yes, yes and yes again! So well put Lisa. Thank you!
This was an incredibly rich week of study. In our house we have memorized this passage in several translations over the years. It is such an encouragement and joy to me. So much I’ve written in my “application” notes in my journal… I want to rejoice not in my circumstances but in THE LORD… meditations on what it means to have a gentle spirit… to not be anxious but to pray without ceasing… to apply the lense of Phil 4:8 to whatever I see and think on… and so much more.
I know you experienced this during the times of the wildfires. If peace were dependent on our circumstances, when could we ever be at peace? There’s always some crisis at hand, whether large or small.
How diligent you are to memorize this not just in one translation but several! What a blessing you impart on your children, Patti. Peace and joy go hand in hand, don’t they? I see both in you.
Thank you yet again for your summary. All very very true. I especially like the thought that peace is not just a feeling but a person. All week during my reading, I couldn’t get away from focusing on that little word in the 9th verse ‘DO’.. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, DO: and the God of peace shall be with you.(KJV)
We are to take an active role in our relationship with God. James 1:22 says we are to be doers of the word and not hearers only. That old saying that actions speak louder than words …its so true. My kids have learned more from watching me than from what I tell them. I felt I was being told to be a better example, to be careful what things I allow into my mind. Focus on the honest, pure, lovely and just things. Worry not. Pray faithfully. Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS, in all things, good and bad. He knows what’s best for us. But above all DO. When I am living my life doing His will, he sends his peace. I love the peace of God. I need the peace of God. Im so very thankful for all his blessings. My prayer is to be a better doer.
I love how we can all read the same text, yet the Spirit breathes different truth messages to each of us.
You picked up such a key truth, Amy: peace isn’t necessarily passive; it is active. We don’t typically think of peace involving ‘doing,’ but yes, Paul and James and others (including David in Psalm 34:14) were telling us to seek peace and pursue it.
Great point. Thanks for sharing.
Appreciated this! Beth Moore talks in Breaking Free about the connection between submission and peace. It’s challenged me to ask what I’m holding back from God when I am anxious. Good word!
I’ve been concentrating this year in particular on reducing worrying. And I keep coming across humility as part of the antidote to fears. I see that akin to what you’re saying, Ginger, between submission and peace. The more we submit ourselves to God’s care, the less fear we’ll have, and the more aware we can be of God’s peace. I appreciate you bringing this into our discussion.
Sometimes I think God allows some of our decisions to come back and bite us, especially when the gifts He grants us we let distract us from Him. True peace is only from the One who owns us. There is only rest there, no where else. Not sure how we can so easily be side tracked.
I know; I don’t like when that happens, Floyd. God gives me such a good gift, and then I love the gift so much that I get distracted from the Giver. May the Lord never allow us too many riches that we pull away from him, and never a depth of poverty so deep that we lose hope in him. May we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus alone.
I can definitely say that when I don’t spend time with Him I don’t walk in His peace — even though Jesus is always with me.
I just came through a season of busyness and FLESH. Sigh.
Bless you!
Beth,
I know this has been a busy season for you. I’m glad that the busiest is now over though and the corn maze crazies can fade away. :-)
I pray that the deepest level of peace–the One that never goes away–will seep up into the upper layers of your soul again. Rest in his shalom; He’s guarding your heart with it.
Blessings, friend.
I love that you shared this: “Did you know peace is mentioned in every New Testament book except 1 John?”
How cool is that? You know it’s important and needed when we read about it over and over again.
And I love this: “God’s peace is above our intellect—don’t try to figure it out (Philippians 4:7). You won’t succeed.
But you can trust that it’s there. That He is there.
Because peace isn’t the absence of trouble.
Peace is the presence of God.”
That lesson of realizing that I cannot know all the answers (and sometimes just plain don’t need to know) is such a hard lesson for an “answers girl” like me, but one that God has helped me *begin* to learn over the past couple of years. (Only begin! I’m still learning!)
What a peace-giving post, Lisa. Thank you.
I’m glad that peace in 26 of the 27 NT books sends a message to you, too, Caroline. That little fact just really stood out to me.
God is serious about us understanding his gift of peace, huh? It was obviously very important when the church was getting established, and is equally as important and relevant and available to us today. I know I need it–I need Him!
I’m still learning too. I hope we always will be. Sometimes I wonder if it’s harder for us “answers girls” but I know God knows how to give us the grace we need to let go of trying to figure things out and rest in the peace he promises. Let’s keep encouraging each other to do it!