All opinions expressed are those of the writer.
We are living in trying times. While a continuing global pandemic occupies media headlines and our daily lives, we also face civil unrest in many of our nations. Yet, as difficult as the last year has been, we can still have peace amid adversity.
The word turbulent is defined as “conflict, disorder, confusion” and it is “not controlled or calm.” This period of time is full of turbulence due to the COVID-19 virus, political disputes regarding the vaccine, deaths of loved ones, and financial uncertainty across the nations. These circumstances are enough to shake us to our core.
Peace is defined as “freedom from disturbance; tranquility; mental calm”. While we are in such occasions of turbulence, it is possible to have peace. This may seem like a monumental task, yet there are 400 verses in the King James Bible that mention peace and can guide us today.
The Bible says in Isaiah 26:3, “He will keep in perfect peace all whose mind is stayed on Him.” In this passage, peace translates as eirene in the Hebrew language. Eirene is defined as whole, entire (of body, healthy, sound). As we keep our minds focused on God instead of constantly meditating on the problems that cause us distress, we can enter a place of wholeness and soundness. This can often be easier said than done. Sometimes we have to contend for this peace through setting up specific times of day for prayer, meditation, or worship to realign our minds with thoughts of God and not our circumstances. Having those special moments with God is pivotal to our peace.
Jesus said in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Today, we still have access to the same peace that Jesus was referring to. Jesus is the Prince of Peace, and we can receive the peace that He provides as we open our hearts, minds, and spirits to Him. It doesn’t mean that all of our problems go away, but peace sustains us amid the problems.
Paul shared in Philippians 4:6-7, “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.” Paul illustrated that the peace of God would come after we release anxiety and replace it with prayer, supplication, thanksgiving, and asking God for our requests.
1 Peter 3:11 says to seek peace and pursue it. While seeking peace, our posture should be that of expectation for the Lord to show up in a powerful way, and we should pursue the peace in full confidence. 1 Peter 5:7 declares that we should cast all of our care upon Him, because He cares for us. We must learn to cast our cares to God and know that He cares for us and wants us to have peace, no matter what our circumstances are. Peace is one of the fruits of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23, and we can have this precious fruit of the Spirit even in turbulent times.
Resources:
Definitions provided by Oxford Languages.
Scripture references from the King James Version Bible.