I know! I know! The title straight away makes you think this post is going to be about politics. Peace in the Middle East. Peace in the United States. The list can go on. But that’s not what this post is about at all.
This post is about the war that wages in our spirit. The battle between peace and turmoil, hope and hopelessness, bravery and fear. The thing we all cry out for – that true inner peace that helps us weather even the toughest of storms.
But Where Does Peace Come From?
Peace comes from God. He is after all – peace. He is Jehovah Shalom, the God of peace. He created it. He is it. Apart from Him, there is no peace.
I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one who wishes God would just pour peace into my life. A rain shower of peace everyday sounds pretty amazing. Or maybe soaking up peace as the sun washes over my body. Sounds great – and easy. I’m not going to lie. I like easy.
Sadly, it doesn’t work that way. The older I get, the more I understand that peace is something we have to fight for. Having peace in our lives takes effort. Our effort!
This is the scenario I usually find myself in. Tell me if it sounds familiar to you. Life is distracting. There are a million to-do lists going through my mind. Of course, not all of them are even important but they’re still there – distracting me. I get side-lined by my own desires. I get thrown out of my routine by the arrival of new problems. All of this keeps me from doing the things that will help me have or even maintain peace.
So – if I want peace I have to fight for it. I have to remind myself that it’s important and that I have to put in the effort to obtain it. Maybe you’re thinking “But isn’t peace part of the fruit of the Spirit. God has already given it to us.” And I would answer that the gift doesn’t do much good if we don’t unwrap it – if we don’t plug it in – or even wrap it around us like a blanket. We still have to do something with the gift.
The Battle for Your Peace
Listen to me! There is a battle going on around us. The devil wants desperately to take away our peace because when we lack it – we are ripe for manipulation. A little lie here and a little lie there goes a long way: God’s not really with you. God doesn’t love you. This is all your fault and God is angry. You are worthless.
When you’re at peace in your life, those lies don’t have much sticking power. The negative effect is minimized. But when you aren’t at peace, those lies breed more lies and more unrest – drawing us further from God.
So – what I’m saying is this: Fight.For.Yourself! This is part of your armor. Put it on!!! Quit looking at peace as simply a warm, fuzzy feeling that’s nice to have. Instead, look at it as a tool – a weapon God gives us to help fight against the enemy.
How do you do this? Well – I know it sounds like a broken record. Spend time with God! We have to plug into God to get recharged. Dig into His word. It fills us when we take the time to get something out of it. Pray! Talk to God. He is the best therapist in all of existence. And trust that the Holy Spirit, whom God has given you, will guide and comfort you.
It’s not always easy, I know, because life is full of distractions. But peace is worth fighting for! Believe it or not – the amount of peace you have depends on you. So go out there and get it!!
Thanks for stopping by!
God Bless You!!!
Armor up! Spread Truth! Pray big!
Thank you! Thank you! I have those unimportant distractions daily and I have to fight to keep my thoughts and actions pure. What a battle we’re fighting but what a Companion Soldier we have beside us, before us, and in us!! My brother once told me ‘we may be in battle but the war has already been won.’ Thank you Jesus! Thank you Kendra for your sweet reminder!! Love you !!
Thank you for your thoughts! It is a daily struggle to remain focused on God – but soooo worth it!!