I cannot overemphasize the peace of God.

In a world of hyper-anxiety, stress, worry, fear, and depression, one of the most valuable spiritual commodities a believer could possess is the tangible peace of God.

What is peace?

The Bible describes peace as the opposite of war and dissension. It also means harmony, tranquility, and a sense of divine favor. One definition describes it as “every kind of good.” Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.” 

In other words, peace instead of pressure.

You know the difference between anxiety and peace. It’s felt — literally a tangible, noticeable feeling (both ways). It’s the difference between yucky and calm, heavy and light, stressed and relaxed. But maybe my favorite aspect of God’s peace is the fact that it “passes all understanding.” Meaning, it’s not that your brain is unaware of the obstacles or realms of the unknown. Peace that passes understanding simply describes the internal awareness of God’s presence despite all the questions that could arise.

This is why the Bible says it guards your heart and mind in Christ.

We have a choice.

Interestingly, peace isn’t always automatic. You and I get to choose peace (or not). In other words, the peace of God is an invitation and an opportunity to walk/live by faith. When we choose to put our faith in the Word of God, the presence and guidance of the Holy Spirit, and the Name and Blood of Jesus, peace is the result.

Remember how Paul told Timothy to fight the good fight of faith? This would be an area where his instruction applies because the enemy loves to bombard our mind and heart with fear, worry, stress, etc. Therefore it’s a fight of faith to resist those thoughts and intentionally meditate on the goodness of God.

Romans 8:5-6 makes this very clear: “For those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit have their minds set on the things of the Spirit. Now the mindset of the flesh is death, but the mindset of the Spirit is life and peace.”

This simply means that we get to choose if we’re going to focus on natural things or spiritual things. It doesn’t mean we ignore the natural– it means despite natural circumstances, we intentionally believe God’s Word over any and everything else.

And did you notice the result of these choices? If we set our mind on the problem, the result is “death” or heaviness, darkness, despair. But if we set our mind on the answer (God’s goodness, faithfulness, and love), the result is life and peace!

So check your settings!

What is your default? To be stressed or to believe the best? These are the settings that need to be monitored and trained. You can live in peace all the time. But you’ll have to keep a continuous check on where your thoughts try to lead you.

Peace is the number one way God guides us. In any circumstance, no matter what unknowns exist, I have trained my heart and mind to follow God’s peace. If I have peace in a certain direction, that’s what I trust– no matter what others say or how things appear. I have learned to trust that God can see what I can’t and He knows what I don’t. Therefore, His peace is my path. Always.

Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). 

In Christ, there is peace. I pray you become more and more conscious of the peace He offers– and that you choose it every time.