Peace is a state of harmony, tranquility, and safety, characterized by the absence of violence, conflict, or anxiety. Inner peace is to be free from fear, distress, or intense internal conflict, mental and emotional state of serenity. What or who can help you focus to have this serene state of mind.. Nobody but Jesus! John 14:27
“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled or fearful.”
As I read many stories of peace in the Bible,” Shalom,” Hebrew concept meaning, wholeness, completeness, soundness, health, and prosperity, not just quietness.
It’s more than just the absence of conflict. It is spoken to bring or invite peace among the atmosphere. Many places Jesus traveled he expressed peace in action and presence. Jesus was sent to earth to establish what peace, faith and love should be. The Bible describes peace as a Devine gift from God. Transcending human understanding, the results from a right relationship with him. Lately, that has been a place that I desire the most, building my relationship with God.His presence brings peace alone. During this season of my life peace is needed 24/7. People are changing, the world is changing and having peace in God is my armor. It keeps me sane, centered and calm. Distractions may come but knowing that I have His Holy Spirit living in me is relieving. I always choose to rely on His Word to bring me comfort. God is the ultimate source, guiding my heart and mind, bringing unity, reconciliation, and inner tranquility to surface in my life.
Philippians 4:7 says, it’s peace that passes all understanding, that will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
The Bible also outlines another type of Peace, Spiritual Peace.
Spiritual peace is the foundational objective peace achieved through salvation. Jesus’s death reconciled us humans to God by removing the barrier of sin.
Romans 5:1-11 talks to us about how Jesus bared the cross for our sins before we even commit them through Faith if we believe. It is already done!! It’s left up to us to take hold of the power of peace and live in it.
Romans 5:9 says, “since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him. For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Next, the Bible talks about Inner/Psychological Peace. This is the subjective, experimental peace that guards a believer’s heart and minds, offering emotional calm, despite external circumstances of anxiety. Paul tells us to rejoice in the Lord always let your gentleness be evident to all, (meaning let others see gentle actions), helping people see that there’s nothing that God can’t turn around. Believers, God is near, let him see you act in concern and have compassion like He does for you! Paul said,” to not be anxious about anything, and that in every situation by prayer and petition with thanksgiving.” God is praiseworthy, He is Excellent!! And with that Praise, the Peace flows which transcends all understanding. Let it guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Paul also wants us to know, “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things”. Philippians 4:8-10
Meditate on that, think about how God carried you through the last situation. How Excellent is He!!!!
Paul’s says, “ whatever you have learned or received or heard from me , or seen in me- put it into practice, and the God of peace will be with you.”
Put it into PRACTICE Believers!!! James 1:22 commands believers to be “doers of the Word, and not hearers only”. Practice is the application of belief through actions.
And last, the Bible speaks of Peace with others, Relational Peace…This type of peace involves maintaining harmony, unity, and reconciliation within relationships, as followers of Christ are called to pursue peace with everyone.
As being a leader, which some of us are called to be…
We commit the error of separating leadership from relationships. When a person steps into a leadership position and automatically assumes that everyone will follow his or her ideas because of his/her position. Some even believe that their knowledge alone qualified them to lead. But it was this quote first spoken by Margaret Tyson: “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care”.
Leaders help themselves by developing good relational skills. As for me, every leadership position I was placed in wasn’t because of my expertise of the position, but because I carry high intellectual, quick to learn and poses good judgment and well informed on who and what God called me to be. So, I take every opportunity of leadership with the humbleness given from God. Never thinking I’m better than others. I’m constantly practicing, perspicacious, judicious and rational behaviors to build relationships with God’s people.
In Romans 12:9-21 Paul instructs us to lead through relationships that will ultimately lead peaceful relationships.
Found in the Maxwell Leadership Bible, written by John C. Maxwell.
1. Avoid hypocrisy- be sincere and genuine (v.1)
2. Be loyal to colleagues-treat others like brothers or sisters (v.10)
3. Give preference to others-honor the desires of others above your own(v.10)
4. Be hospitable-look for ways to meet the needs of others (v.13)
5. Return good for evil- act, don’t react when others hurt you (v.14)
6. Identify with others-treat other’s needs or victories as your own (v.15)
7. Be open- minded toward others- seek to connect with anyone you speak to (v.16)
8. Treat everyone with respect- this is a compliment to any person (v.17)
9. Do everything possible to keep peace- choose wisely which hills to die on (v.18)
10. Remove revenge from your life- let God judge others, you love them (b. 19-21)
People of Peace represent humans who are receptive to the Gospel message, acting as divine conductors to spread evangelism in the community. They are prepared by God ( because none of us were born as such), to welcome messengers, provide hospitality and facilitate the spread of Faith to their households and neighborhoods.
So I challenge you to bring Peace everywhere you go, In Jesus Mighty and Matchless name, Amen!
Love, Angelia💜
Beauty Disciples -The Voice