Peace

So I was having -what would have been- a really heated discussion with a close friend the other day.

No, I'm sorry, I won't go into all the details, but for future reference it was "relational" to say the least.... but the reason why I'm bringing it up is because just before the discussion began I had spent some quality time in prayer. Having lifted both thanksgiving and requests to God, I had experienced God's peace in my heart and mind milliseconds before the conversation began.

In addition to the peace I was experiencing, the discussion topic which my friend and I were conversing about, had literally been lifted up in my prayers a few moments prior. It's cool how God works things out and prepares us for these kinds of moments; mostly when we are 'sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit'. Only then can we truly have peace about whatever comes our way.

I've been reading a book by John MacArthur called "Found: God's Peace"; its subtitle notes "experiencing true freedom from anxiety in every circumstance". (Yes, please.) On page 56, John MacArthur says that peace fabricated by humans cannot withstand anything the world throws at it:

"Godly peace cannot be produced on a human level at all. Any peace that humans can produce is very fragile. It can be destroyed instantly by failure, doubt, fear, difficulty, guilt, shame, distress, regret, sorrow, the anxiety of making the wrong choice, the anticipation of being mistreated or victimized by someone, the uncertainly of the future, and any challenge to our position or possessions..."

Peace is an attribute of God.... actually, just as God is love. God is also peace. 

“Now may the Lord of peace himself 

give you peace at all times in every way. 

The Lord be with you all.”

‭‭2 Thessalonians‬ ‭3:16‬ ‭ESV‬

Peace is also part of the fruit of the Spirit:

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, 

longsuffering [patience], kindness, goodness, 

faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. 

Galatians 5:22-23a NKJV

Near the end of the heated discussion, I recall my friend saying, "I'm amazed at how you're able to respond to me so calmly right now". It was definitely the peace of God ruling my heart and mind in those moments. And I'm grateful. 

"But above all these things put on love, 

which is the bond of perfection. 

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, 

to which you were called in one body; 

and be thankful." 

Colossians 3:14-15 NKJV

Ultimately, Godly peace has nothing to do with human beings or human circumstances. Godly peace comes from God Himself. And even though the discussion with my friend has since passed, it's an amazing thought to know I can continue to lift up the request to God, and He will gently remind me that He had, has, and will have, everything in His control. 

Trust in the Lord...

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

and do not lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

and He will make straight your paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV

Trust in the Lord with all your heart:

Trust seems to be an action which is so much easier said than done. I've resorted to my dictionary again, but the amazing thing is, trust is first defined as a noun, then as a verb (action). As a noun, trust is defined as a "firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something." So trust is directly tied to a person or thing, and it is dependent on the character or quality of who or what is being trusted.

The Lord, our God, is to be trusted with a firm belief in the reliability and strength of who He is. There are tremendous amounts of truths written in the Word which show the faithfulness of our God. Also, "all" in Greek means "all". Therefore, whatever the situation, the entirety of our hearts needs to be devoted to trusting God.

Do not lean on your own understanding:

How tempting it is to think that we know it all. Pride tells us we can figure out a solution on our own, or we can overcome a situation on our own strength. However, the reality is everything that has been revealed and communicated to us has first came from God. Our own understanding, logic and comprehension is limited by our human condition.

Also, we were just instructed to "trust in the Lord with all [our] heart". This requires us to trust - that even when it doesn't make sense in our own minds and understanding - we lean in to God, trusting Him to see us through.

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In all your ways acknowledge Him:

There's that word "all" again. "All" in Greek still means "all". This includes anything and everything that we say and do. In Colossians 3:17 it states, "and whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him" (NKJV, my emphasis).

To acknowledge is to "accept or admit the existence or truth of". Or according to this article, Webster's dictionary defines acknowledge as "to recognize the rights, authority or status of". So when we accept the authority of God in all of our ways...

He will make straight your paths:

Another translation says "and He will direct your path". I've heard a lot about the word "paths" recently. This making of straight paths is not a question of free will, because God has given us freedom to choose. But when we choose trust in the Lord with all our heart... when we choose not to lean on our own understanding... and when we choose acknowledge Him in all we say and do... He will make our paths straight. He will guide us. And that's a promise.

I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. 

I will advise you and watch over you.

Psalm 32:8 NLT

I instructed you in the way of wisdom; 

I have guided you along straight paths.

Proverbs 4:11 TLV