How to Have Peace of Mind in Troubled Timesნიმუში

Day 1: The Gift of Jesus’ Peace

One of the greatest truths Jesus spoke to his disciples and to us is found in John 14:27, where He says:

“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.”

It is interesting to note that the word “give” in the original Greek language is the word for a gift. This tells us that peace is a gift given to us by Jesus. He released it and it belongs to us; therefore, we can confidently lay claim to it by faith.

“Peace,” which Jesus uses twice in this one verse, is a translation of a form of the Greek word that depicts the cessation of war or an end of conflict. Thus, if you are in the peace of Jesus, you are no longer at war in your mind and emotions. The conflict has ceased. The same word also signifies a time of rebuilding and reconstruction after war has ceased. This means that when you are experiencing the peace of Jesus, you are focused on rebuilding and reconstructing rather than on the problems you are facing. That is what peace powerfully enables you to do.

This peace that Jesus has given to us as a gift also describes a time when distractions are removed, a time of prosperity, or a time when order rules in the place of chaos. It is a calm, inner stability that results in the ability to conduct oneself peacefully even in the midst of circumstances that would normally be traumatic or upsetting. That doesn’t mean upsetting or traumatic circumstances aren’t happening in your life. It simply means that even if they are, you are still able to conduct yourself peacefully in the midst of it.

Moreover, the Greek word for “peace” used here is the equivalent of the Hebrew word shalom, which expresses the idea of wholeness, completeness, or tranquility in the soul that is unaffected by outward circumstances or pressures. This means when you’re moving in peace, even if you’re surrounded by outward pressures and turbulent circumstances, you can be like an island of stability that is unaffected. My friend, the peace of Jesus is meant to dominate you and fill your entire life with shalom. It is His personal gift given to you and to every single believer.

After informing us that He has gifted us His supernatural peace, Jesus goes on to say, “Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).

The word for “heart” here is the Greek word which describes the center or core of your being or the center of human emotions. Hence, Jesus is telling us, “Don’t let the core of your being — your emotions — be troubled.” In this verse, the word “troubled” is a form of the Greek word which means to stir up, to be unsettled, to feel anxiety, to be inwardly moved and upset, or to be tossed back and forth.

Make no mistake: When your emotions are stirred up, unsettled, and tossed back and forth, they will begin to take you downward and open the door to an assortment of negative emotions, all of which will try to pull you into the realm of fear.

That is why Jesus instructed us not to be troubled or afraid. The Greek word Jesus used for “afraid” literally means to be cowardly, to live in dread, to shrink backward, or to move into retreat. It depicts a paralyzing fear that produces a shrinking back or cowardice.

Friend, you simply cannot function dominated by fear and cowardice. God has things He needs you to do. You have people you need to take care of and a job you need to accomplish on the earth. You don’t have time to live in fear and dread or shrink back in retreat. Jesus doesn’t want you to be crippled or paralyzed by fear of any kind. That is why He gave us His very own peace to ensure us that no outward or inward turmoil would dominate our lives and move us from the place of faith in our wonderful God who loves and cares for us.

For Your Consideration:

1. When you listen to the news and get your source of information regarding local and world affairs, what kind of effect does that have on you mentally and emotionally?
2. Is it time for you to make some changes to what you are watching and listening to? Be honest with yourself.
3. What is an area of your life where fear has stopped you from moving forward in God’s plan? Recognize that fear and give it to Him.