“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.” (John 14:27, New Living Translation)
When you went to bed last night was your mind at peace? How about this morning? What was that first thing on your mind? Do you feel free or is there something weighing on you?
What would give you that peace you’re looking for? The worlds solutions go something like this: “If I could just get his or her attention,” “If they would just admit they were wrong,” “If I just got this promotion,” or “If I could just lose this weight.” But, the worlds pathway to peace is such an illusion. It promises so much, but always under-delivers and never satisfies. Don’t fall for that stuff.
The thing about true peace is that it has nothing to do with our circumstances. Every problem, every human, every job, every bank account and most everything else in this world is subject to change. So if you anchor your source of peace into something that is subject to change, what guarantees you that you’ll have and keep that peace?
This is where the good news of the Word of God kicks in! Jesus wants us to have peace and He has already given it to us. Jesus said, “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.” (John 14:27, New Living Translation) So not only did Jesus say He was leaving us with peace of mind and heart, but – bonus! – it’s a gift! Which means you didn’t earn it and you can’t orchestrate, arrange or plan the things in your life precise enough to gain it.
It gets even better, “And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give.” So, if this peace can’t be given by the world, then more good news, the world can’t take it away! Nothing – no bad day, no stock market crash, no broken relationship – can take away the peace that Jesus gives.
And finally that last part, “So don’t be troubled or afraid.” Whatever is on your mind that is holding you back from that peace and causing you to be troubled or afraid will be displaced when you exchange it for God’s peace. Your circumstances may not change one bit, but your mind can be at peace, because you know Who your source of peace is. You exchange your worry, your cares, for His peace and His joy. What a beautiful exchange that is.
Follow what the Word says in Philippians, “Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.” Philippians 4:6-7 (The Message)
Say It: “Father, thank You for true peace. Today, I choose to do what Philippians 4:6-7 says and talk to You about what is heavy on my mind. Thank You for that great exchange, and for perfecting that which concerns me. I declare today that my peace is independent of my circumstances. Thank You for Your peace that the world can’t give and the world can’t take away. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”
ICHTHUS Ministries 