When we think of peace, what comes to mind?
No conflict, internal or external, contentedness
Definition: freedom from disturbance; quiet and tranquility.
Peace comes from the Hebrew word shâlôm meaning safe, happy, healthy and prosperous, and of course peace.
Isa 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. 4 Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:
We need to keep our minds focused on God if we are to have peace. He is strong, and trustworthy, and understanding that is how we begin to have peace in our lives. Understand that having peace is not about living life free of struggles, but learning to go to God with our struggles and trust his perfect plan.
Just like anything else, we cannot have peace apart from God. We have hope in him, and that can bring us peace if we let it.
Joh_14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Joh_16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Rom_5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
We are justified from sin by our faith in Jesus and what he did for us on the cross. Without accepting that Jesus is the way to be free from sin, we can not have peace with God.
Rom 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
Peace should come from within our relationship with God, and our belief in him and his power, not from what's going on around us. If we let situations dictate how we feel at peace, life would be an awful rollercoaster.
Psa 122:8 For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee.
Pro_16:7 When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
We can have peace and joy no matter what we are going through, because we have salvation and are on our way to heaven!
1Pe 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
David, a man after God's own heart, wept often through psalms about the pain, sadness, and trials he was going through (Ps. 6:6) yet he called upon God, and realizing God was stronger than anything he was going through, David found solace (ps. 34:4-8).
Psa 6:4 Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies' sake. 6 I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears.
Psa 34:4 I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. 5 They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. 6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. 8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
Psa 55:16 As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me. 17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice. 18 He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.
Keep your eyes focused on God, and living the way we should, and he will grant us peace.
Pro 3:1 My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: 2 For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
Psa 119:165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. 166 LORD, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments. 167 My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.
God wants us to have peace in our lives, and peace with each other.
Jer_29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Mar_9:50 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.
Rom_14:19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
1Th_5:13b be at peace among yourselves.