Peace is Not a Feeling
Peace Peace. Is there any correlation between peace and courage? The word peace conjures images of serene meadows, cool breezes, and wildflowers. Or at the very least a quiet house.
Courage brings to mind soldiers in battle.
The middle ground is seemingly nonexistent. I cannot truly fathom a situation that requires courage in which I could find any kind of peace.
“God gave me peace about it.”
A phrase that I hear often, yet sometimes leaves me stumped. Often I hear it in regards to confusing choices or situations that bring discomfort.
Peace is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, and I truly believe that He gives peace in our circumstances when we seek Him.
But what about when you don’t have peace. What is the decision feels scary? What if you prayed, read scripture, sought wise counsel, and made a pretty extensive pros and cons list, and still feel uneasy about what is next?
Is our anxiousness a lack of peace? Should we wait until we can completely map out the repercussions of our decision before we choose what is next for us?
Overtime I have realized peace is not a feeling. Peace is a presence with us as we go. Peace is a reality that we walk in, no matter our internal feelings or our circumstances.
There are times we use “peace” as a safe guard. We search for peace and yet we really mean we are comfortable.
And when I say “we” I mean me. I love being comfortable. I want serenity and order and ease. I prefer the predictable and uninterrupted life to Andy adventure or excitement.
My ideal is not traveling the world, but sitting on my couch with a blanket, reading a book.
But the peace of God is not necessarily the feeling of peace. Peace is a declaration. In times of war, we declare peace. It is a state of being.
So often, I don’t want God to give me courage. I want Him to give me peace. Or in reality, I want Him to give me comfort, understanding, and ease.
But our growth doesn’t come for remaining comfortable. Trusting God is easy when our circumstances feel safe.
Lately God is teaching me that we can make God honoring decisions and be a little afraid. However, we cannot make God honoring decisions out of fear.
God will ask us to do things that are uncomfortable. Or a bit unorthodox. He will call us to do things that do not make the most sense. He will rarely show us the end of the road before he asks us to take the next steps. That can be nerve wrecking. It can be uncomfortable. It can even be a bit scary. He gives us courage because He knows that obedience will be uncomfortable.
Making a decision that makes us scared is not the same as making a decision out of fear.
Fear based decisions often start with “What if…?”
Fear based decisions come when you don’t think that there is another option.When you have a scarcity mentality. When you feel like you can’t say yes.
Who else will do it, God?
Where will the funds come from?
What if no one else steps up?
What if it all falls apart?
What if it’s not safe?
What if we fail?
What if someone will be upset?
We can brings these fears to God and lay them at His feet. He hears them with compassion. The answer to everyone of them is Christ.
In Christ we will always be safe.
In Christ peace has been won for us.
In Christ we have been given everything we need.
In Christ we do not need to earn anything.
In Christ we can trust that God will succeed on our behalf, and redeem any mistakes.
He is good. He is our safe place. He is ever present. He is in complete control.
We can take steps of obedience that make us uncomfortable and even scared.
We can trust that our safety and security is ultimately in Christ, not in our circumstances. We can trust that our reputation is rooted in our Savior, not in others opinions. We can have confidence that obedience will not always lead to a smooth life, but will lead to the blessing of being with God.
Peace is a person who will never leave us or forsake us. Peace is a declaration. Peace is a reality that we are given when we walk in the steps of our Savior.
