If You Want Peace

I distinctly remember the day that I accepted Christ into my life. I felt as though someone had lifted a huge weight off my shoulders.

At the time, I was just a 17-year-old kid. What kind of burden does a 17-year-old kid carry? It was the weight of my sin. It was the weight of my guilt. When God removed that weight, I suddenly had a peace in my heart that I’d never known before.

I’ve talked to many Christians who have experienced the same thing.

However, we cannot experience the peace of God until we first have peace with God. Everyone, before they believe, is at war with God. The Bible says, “For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son” (Romans 5:10 NLT).

Friendship with God brings us personal peace. Romans 5:1 tells us, “Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us” (NLT).

The Bible calls it the peace that surpasses all human understanding (see Philippians 4:17). It’s independent of circumstances. In fact, sometimes I’ll notice this peace more often in the midst of very difficult circumstances. I’ve visited people in the hospital who ministered to me more than I ministered to them.

They told me about how they were sensing peace in their hearts, and they knew that God was in control. I’ve stood in awe of their faith, but I’ve been even more in awe of the fact that God gives us what we need when we need it.

That’s the peace God wants to give you, and you can experience it today.