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Why This Matters Today
Take a moment and think about the most peaceful experience you had this past week. Maybe it was a quiet morning with a cup of coffee, a walk outside, or a moment when all the kids were finally asleep. Got it? Hold that feeling in your mind.
Now, what would it have taken to ruin it? A difficult phone call? An unexpected bill in the mail? A piece of bad news?
For most of us, the peace we experience is incredibly fragile. It depends on everything going just right. But what happens when things go wrong? When the storms of life hit—and they always do—is it possible to have a peace that doesn't break? The Bible says a resounding yes.
The Peace the World Offers (and Why It's Not Enough)
When we talk about peace, we’re often talking about what the Bible calls "worldly peace." This is a circumstantial peace—it only exists when our circumstances are favorable. The world tells us we can find peace through security—having enough money in the bank, a good report from the doctor, or a stable home. It also offers distraction—getting away from it all through a vacation, scrolling on our phones, or losing ourselves in entertainment.
These things aren't bad, but they are temporary. The money can run out, our health can change, and every vacation must come to an end. This is why this kind of peace is so unreliable. Jesus understood this. He told His followers:
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. (John 14:27)
He was offering something entirely different—something that doesn't vanish when life gets hard.
The Peace God Gives: A Peace That Transcends
The peace God gives is not tied to our circumstances; it’s tied to Him. The Apostle Paul describes it this way:
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)
What does it mean for peace to "transcend all understanding"? It means it’s a peace that doesn’t make logical sense. The math doesn’t add up. From the outside, it looks like Pain + Loss should equal Despair. But for a follower of Christ, the equation can be Pain + Loss = Peace.
This peace is a supernatural gift from the Holy Spirit who lives within us. It doesn't come from our external environment; it flows from our internal foundation, which is God Himself. It’s a calm in the middle of the chaos, a quiet confidence when everything around us is shouting for our fear.
What God Wants Us to Know
To truly grasp this life-changing peace, here are a few key truths God wants us to hold onto:
• God's Goodness is Your Foundation: Worldly peace is built on the flimsy foundation of, "I am okay because things are good." When circumstances change, that foundation crumbles and the peace evaporates. God offers a solid foundation: "I am okay because God is good." His goodness is unchanging, which means your peace can be stable. In fact, this peace often grows stronger when trouble starts, deepening our reliance on Him.
• His Peace is a Gift, Not an Achievement: Christian peace is not something we work hard to create or maintain. It's a gift we receive through trust. It's not about striving; it's about surrendering. It is something we are invited to "sink into" by trusting Him.
• Worldly Peace is a Trap: Gently, God warns us that relying on money, health, or distractions for our peace will always lead to anxiety. Why? Because we know deep down that those things are fragile. When we build our hope on them, we are building on sand.
• He Invites You to Focus on Him: There is a beautiful promise in the book of Isaiah:
• God links His perfect peace directly to where we fix our attention.
How We Live This Out Today
Living in God's peace means changing our first reaction to trouble. Our instinct is to try and "fix it" ourselves, which is just an attempt to create our own worldly peace. To our control-loving minds, letting go can feel like giving up. But in faith, God invites us to do something far more powerful: to "give it over" to Him.
Here are a few practical ways to do that:
• Practice "breath prayers": In stressful moments, as you breathe in and out, whisper short phrases like "Lord, you are with me" or "God, you are in control."
• Limit the "noise": Intentionally turn off the sources of anxiety in your life. This could mean stepping away from the 24/7 news cycle or social media and choosing to fill that space with worship music or Scripture instead.
• Lean on Community: You don't have to do this alone. When you feel your peace slipping, call a fellow believer and ask them to pray with you and for you.
A Moment With God
Take a minute to reflect on these questions with the Lord:
• Where am I trying to control my circumstances to create my own peace, instead of sinking into the peace God offers?
• What "noise" do I need to turn down this week so I can keep my mind stayed on Him?
The True Source of Peace
This unshakable, transcendent peace has a name: Jesus.
Believers don’t have this peace because they are "better" or stronger people. We have it because we have found the Source. He simply invites us to stay connected to Him.
When we do, the supernatural calm we experience in the middle of a storm becomes a powerful magnet. It makes a watching world ask, "How are you so calm right now?" It gives us an opportunity to point them to the hope we have in Jesus. He is the Prince of Peace, and He invites you to walk with Him today.
You’re Invited to Worship With Us
Pittsford Wesleyan Church (PWC) 9294 Rail St, Pittsford, Michigan Sunday Worship: 11:00 AM Sunday School: 10:00 AM Everyone is welcome! If you're searching for truth, hope, community, or a place to grow in faith, we would love to have you join us. Come as you are — discover who God is and how much He loves you.