“Peace, I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27)

Christ arrived on planet earth with this mission of peace in his DNA. To pass on to us what we could never provide for ourselves, he lived, died, and then broke through that insurmountable barrier. His ultimate gift to us is unimaginable peace with our Creator and heavenly Father.

Peace no matter another’s opinion of us. Peace regardless of the chaos swirling nearby. Peace despite challenges, calamities, cares.

Troubles, anxieties, and fears are always breaking through to rob and assault us with their violent attacks. Longings that nothing can soothe; circumstances without a cure; perplexing problems stacked sky-high; relationships with a crushing choke-hold – each packed with potential to sidetrack or suffocate.

But the entirety of God’s Word arms us with his protection. Isaiah tells us that as we wait on him he renews our sagging strength so we are able to proceed without collapsing, enabling us to endure this next part of our grueling journey. “He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength” (Isaiah 40:29).  

David echoes a similar reminder. “But I call to God, and the LORD will save me. Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he hears my voice. He redeems my soul in safety from the battle that I wage, for many are arrayed against me…caste your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you” (Psalm 55:16-18, 22).

The apostle Peter built the next level to that exact thought. “Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you…And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you” (1 Peter 5:7, 10).

God wants us to recognize that no matter who or what is stealing our peace, letting us down, or shoving an unfriendly face in our direction, we belong to him and are able to cry out and connect with his divine help. He promises to hear us, to strengthen us, to give us his brand of peace right there in the middle of whatever is harassing or hindering us.

We are not abandoned. Peace is the person of Jesus precisely where we are.

Elizabeth A Mitchell