In a timely message for troubling times, Cedrick Baker shares his experience of living with God’s peace in the midst of struggle and trying situations. He discusses what peace is, how anxiety steals it and how to live in God’s peace.
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Peace in Troubled Times
• Cedrick Baker
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We are living in the midst of troubling times full of uncertainty, anxiety and hopelessness. It seems like everyone is experiencing some kind of financial insecurity, health concerns, relationship conflicts and/or worry about governmental changes. In these times, we need fresh experiences of God’s peace. Peace is a sense of security and safety, harmony, a concept derived from the Hebrew word shalom which means wholeness. The word peace was used as a common form of salutation and benediction (“Peace be with you”) in the Jewish tradition, and Christian and Islamic faiths.
Jesus also spoke about peace, promising a peace that can co-exist in the midst of trouble. The peace mentioned here includes inner rest, well-being, and harmony (peace with one’s self, peace w/ God, peace with others). But this question pesters us: if this peace is available, why does it seem so unattainable or unrealistic? And as a result, we often search for other ways to experience this peace.
Jesus said in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” The world can provide temporary excitement and happiness, but not true peace (shalom). This only comes in Jesus. Even in the midst of the problems that we face, Jesus brings peace through spiritual transformation.
One of the main enemies of peace is anxiety, which is prevalent in our day. Paul wrote in Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
To be anxious is to be stirred up, agitated, or troubled with care and distraction. Through prayer with thanksgiving, we can turn our eyes away from the troubling challenges that we cannot directly change. Living in peace means trusting the one who can bring the best possible end out of every challenge. Peter says something similar in 1 Peter 5:7 when he tells us to cast our anxiety on God because he cares for us. Anxiety often results from the false belief that we are able to control things that we are not designed to control. And thus we are acting like God instead of trusting him.
Peace comes when we are living in contentment. This is a disposition where we are able to withstand any situation we face whether one of abundance and success or suffering and lack. This is what Paul expressed in Philippians 4:12-13. He learned how to live in joy no matter what he faced.
We can better live in peace when we remember three things. First, we must embrace the fact that true peace is only found in Jesus. Second, peace is a process as we learn how to live in God’s peace over time. Third, in the midst of struggle, it is crucial that we remember when God has proven faithful in the past.
Hide Extended SummaryTopics: Faithfulness, Transformation
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The MuseCast: May 13
Focus Scripture:
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John 16:33
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
