“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” Isaiah 26:3 (NLT)
Over the past 40 years of ministry, there have been pivotal moments that have tested my faith and disrupted my peace in God. The first was the attack on the Twin Towers in New York on that infamous day referred to as 9/11. The second was the loss of my wife to cancer in 2006. I was left emotionally paralyzed and shaken by these catastrophic events.
I struggled to find peace, because I didn’t fully understand why these events took place and what my emotions were telling me. I chose to trust my feelings instead of the peace God provides. John 14:27 says, “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”
A person who has genuine peace can endure an avalanche of hardships, trials and difficulties because the gift of God’s peace surpasses human reason. This anchor of peace only comes when we have an existing relationship with Christ.
So, how do we find peace in God when life seems to throw curveballs at us daily? Here are four practical steps we can take to experience God’s peace during life’s storms:
1. Focus on faith, not fear. We have to constantly remind ourselves that our God is bigger than any obstacle we’re up against. The Bible instructs us to fix our eyes on Jesus, who leads us and orders our steps. (Hebrews 12:2)
2. Determine to trust God. Trust in the Lord continually, and don’t lean on your own understanding. Our view is limited, but God sees the whole picture. Trust goes a long way to ensuring fear never gains a foothold.
3. Meditate on the Word of God. The Bible is filled with beautiful and praiseworthy quotes about God’s character and faithfulness. Scripture shows us His promises of peace for our lives.
4. Pray for peace. Everything won’t be perfect all the time. That’s why it’s important to seek the Lord in prayer when a storm starts brewing. Ask Him to flood your heart with peace. He will be faithful to answer that prayer.
It’s not a matter of if the storms will come, but when. So practice being at peace now so that when the waters rise, you’ll be prepared to reflect the Prince of Peace in the midst of the storm.
Digging Deeper:
- In what area of your life are you currently experiencing God’s peace?
- What steps do you need to take this week to help you experience more of God’s peace?
