Can Jesus Give Lasting Peace? - The Crosswalk Devotional - July 12
Can Jesus Give Lasting Peace?
By Vivian Bricker
Bible Reading:
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).
Have you ever felt so stressed out that you were at your breaking point? Maybe you were going through a divorce, you failed a test at college, or you simply felt anxious about the future. Did you know that it doesn’t have to be this way? If somebody told you today that you could have lasting peace, would you accept it? The truth is that you can have lasting peace, but the only way is through Jesus Christ.
The world today tries to give us temporary highs or self-help tricks to keep our minds off our stress and anxiety, but these quick fixes never last. While some of these techniques and tips can benefit us and we should utilize them, we have to know that they are not the same as Jesus’ peace. However, therapy should be continued and endorsed within the Christian community. We don’t need to believe that counseling and Jesus cannot co-exist, because they can.
Nonetheless, Jesus wants you to have the peace that only He can offer you. When you truly have the peace of Jesus, your life will be transformed, and you will feel a peace that you have never experienced before (Philippians 4:7). This peace will wash over you and provide your weary heart with what it needs.
We can obtain Jesus's peace by trusting in Him and giving all control to Him. We do this when we accept Him as our Savior and Lord. Accepting Him as your Savior and Lord consists of believing that He died for your sins, was buried, and rose again (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). After you believe that He is God and that He died and rose again, you become a child of God, and this is where peace begins (1 John 3:1).
Everyone is looking for peace, but often in the wrong places. Jesus gives the peace that surpasses understanding. He wants you to come to Him and have peace. He never wants you to feel weighed down by the anxieties of life. Jesus gives lasting peace, and His peace begins as soon as you accept Him. This peace isn’t something that is hard to obtain, as it is freely given by the Lord Himself.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27). The peace that Jesus has given us will never fade away nor can it be taken away. Even if everything around us is falling apart, His peace still remains. While it might take some time before you fully embrace His peace, it is already waiting for you.
Go to Him today and tell Him about your feelings. All of your anxieties, worries, and fears, lay them at His feet. Jesus knows this world is full of hardships and troubles, and He is always more than happy to help us. As Jesus says, “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” (John 16:33).
Even amidst the troubles, Jesus still reigns, and His peace is still shining bright. This is the beauty of His peace. We will feel more at ease by knowing the Lord, fully trusting in Him, and patiently waiting on Him. This doesn’t mean that we will never be anxious again, but it does mean that Jesus can calm any storm, even the storms of our minds and hearts. Submit yourself to Him today and rest at His feet.
With time, you will see His peace wash over you. It may come in small increments or right when you need it. Keep an eye out for His peace and fully embrace it. It is possible to resist Jesus’ peace; therefore, make sure you are keeping an open heart and open mind to Him.
Do you believe that obtaining lasting peace is possible? Why or why not? Will you make the decision today to have lasting peace by accepting Jesus as your Savior and Lord? Is there something holding you back from accepting Jesus as your Savior and Lord?
Further Reading:
Philippians 4:4-9
1 Peter 5:7
Romans 5:1-2
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Ridofranz
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