How to Have Peace of Mind in Troubled Timesნიმუში

Day 2: The Rule of Peace

When you look at the news, it can be overwhelming to see what is happening in the world. Wars are escalating in the Middle East and other places, inflation and debt are rising, there are unprecedented attacks on our children through gender reassignment, and on and on the list goes. If you’re not careful, issues like these can cause you to lose your peace.

We must remember that what we are seeing is the fulfillment of what Jesus said would take place at the very end of the age: men’s hearts are beginning to fail. Yet, despite all the negative circumstances, we don’t have to lose our peace. We can still have peace of mind in troubled times, and the Bible tells us how to do it.

Colossians 3:15: “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts...“

According to this passage, the peace of God is supposed to rule in our hearts, but what does the word “peace” mean? Interestingly, it is the very same Greek word we saw in John 14:27. In fact, this is the primary word for peace in the New Testament.

This word, “eirene," depicts the cessation of war, an end of conflict, and a time of rebuilding and reconstruction after the war has ceased. It is a time when distractions are removed, a time of prosperity where order rules in the place of chaos.

Friend, when you’re ruled by peace, you’re able to conduct yourself peacefully even in the midst of traumatic or upsetting circumstances. It means war has ended, conflict has ceased, and distractions have been removed. Functioning in the peace of God means shalom is ruling your soul. You’ve been ushered out of the place of chaos and into a time of peace and prosperity.

Looking again at Colossians 3:15, we see that the apostle Paul instructs us, “...Let the peace of God rule in your hearts....” The word “rule” here is a unique Greek term which describes the umpire or referee who moderated and judged the athletic competitions that were so popular in the ancient world.

By using this word, Paul was telling us the peace of God should work like an umpire or referee in our hearts, minds, and emotions. When negative emotions try to exert control over us or to throw us into an emotional frenzy, we can stop it by making the choice to let God’s supernatural peace rise up from deep inside us and—like an umpire or referee—moderate our emotions. When this divine umpire called “peace” steps into the game, it suddenly begins to make all the decisions instead of fretfulness, anxiety, and worry.

Now, you need to understand and put into practice what Paul said in the very next verse.This is key if you want the peace of God to rule your life, as Colossians 3:15 says.

Colossians 3:16: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly...”

The word “dwell” here means to live inside, to dwell inside, or to comfortably take up residency, and by using this word, this verse presents the Word of Godas taking up residency and living inside us! It depicts someone so full of the Word of God that his entire being is affected. His heart is full of joy, his mind is flooded with wisdom and understanding, and his mouth is singing songs to the Lord. Having the peace of God rule as an umpire is directly connected with letting the Word dwell lavishly inside your heart.

Friend, your life is not to be dominated by your emotions or by the feelings of others. You are not to be tossed back and forth by the crazy events happening in the world around you. Instead, God wants you to be ruled by peace. If you’re tired of worrying and being anxious, open your life to the Word of God and let the Word dwell in you richly! Begin each day by reading your Bible and giving the Scripture a grand entrance into your mind and heart. As the Word of God takes up residency in you, it will begin to impart to you all kinds of spiritual riches, including a dominating, supernatural peace that will call all the shots in your life.

For Your Consideration:

1. Can you think of a time when your emotions ruled your life and perhaps ruined your ability to have a peace-filled life?
2. Invite the Holy Spirit to divinely assist you by revealing to you ways your thinking must change. What is He saying to you about your thoughts and what you are continually thinking about?