Christian Living

4 Truths to Live in Peace

Are you a new year’s resolution or word-of-the-year person?  I am.  I really enjoy setting goals for my year and thinking about how I hope to grow in the new year.  I also love looking at my goals from last year and seeing how I grew.  (I’m also not someone who freaks out over not reaching a goal, because I just add it to the next year’s list.  I know that’s the big reason a lot of people don’t make new year’s resolutions, but it’s never really bothered me that much.)

This year, as I prayed about my word of the year, the words that kept coming up were rest and peace.  I didn’t want to focus just on rest this year (because, if I’m honest, it would be a good excuse to be lazy instead of resting), but I did want to pick a word that encompassed rest.  Something I learned through 2021 was that I am not very good a resting in the Lord.  Whenever I thought of rest, the word peace came to mind.  Peace encompasses rest, but it also continues in the midst of activity and busyness.  So, as this new year has begun, I’ve been contemplating what it means to live in the peace of Christ. 

The epistles often start with a greeting of grace and peace. 

Grace, mercy and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. 2 John 1:3 (NASB)

As I read through the greetings of the epistles, the common truth found in these verses is that grace and peace come from God the Father and Jesus Christ.   

These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. John 14:27

The source of peace is Jesus.  If I want to pursue peace, I must pursue Him. 

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Colossians 3:15

It’s easy to let anxiety, fear, my phone, or busyness rule my heart rather than the peace of Christ.  So what does it look like for the peace of Christ to rule in my heart? 

1: Be in God’s Word. 

Those who love Your law have great peace, And nothing causes them to stumble. Psalm 119:165

God’s Word is powerful, and when I choose to read it and follow it, it provides me great peace.  There is security in knowing that all the answers I need are found in His Word.  The world tells us to look for answers within ourselves or from experts or social media.  But none of those resources provide the absolute truth I need to build my life upon, and that truth is Christ and His Word.  When my life is grounded on Christ and His Word, I can be at peace knowing that though the wind and waves may come, my firm foundation will not be shaken. 

2: Be in prayer and the presence of God.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ⁸ Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. Philippians 4:6-8

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

Prayer is a great antidote to anxiety.  Giving God our worries is freeing, but we can’t stop there. Philippians says prayer with thanksgiving.  Give thanks.  Praise God for who He is and all He has done.  Let His presence fill you with joy and peace. 

3: Trust God. 

In peace I will both lie down and sleep, For You alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8

Trusting God is easier said than done, right?  But I love the peaceful confidence David has in Psalm 4.  He knew that God was his protector, and because of that he could sleep peacefully.  I love to quote this verse when I have trouble sleeping due to worrying.  If God is in control (and He always is), then I can trust Him to take care of me and my worries and sleep peacefully.  Throughout the day, if I trust that God is sovereign, in control, and taking care of me, then I can be at peace no matter how perfect or crazy my day goes.   

4: Follow Christ’s example.

Jesus did a lot of ministry in three years, but He was never rushed.  He had rhythms in life.  He took time away to pray (Mark 1:35), He took time to be with just the twelve or just His closest three (Matt. 20:17; Mark 9:2), and He had time for bigger ministry—for healing and teaching and debating.  In all this, Jesus stayed focused on the mission His Father had for Him.  Personally, one of my goals for 2022 is to learn healthy rhythms of rest, work, and ministry so that I can stay focused on what God is calling me to do (which means learning how to say no to things that God isn’t calling me to, which is an area of weakness for me). 

I’m excited to focus on letting Christ’s peace rule my heart this year.  I know it won’t be easy since it doesn’t come naturally to me.  But the beauty of growing in the Lord is that our source of growth and strength is God.  It doesn’t mean that we don’t put in effort to live godly lives, but ultimately God causes the growth with whatever little we have to offer Him (1 Cor. 3:7).  And that’s another reason for peace. 😉

Happy New Year, friends!

With love,

Kelsey