Jesus told His disciples that ‘in this world you will have trouble’ (John 16:33 NIV). Life’s not easy. We all experience stress, demands on our time, deadlines, expectations, personal pressures ganging up on us and constantly trying to rob us of the peace we desperately desire. No one is immune to stress, frustration, and the feeling that we’re on the ‘treadmill of life’. When we feel like that, we’re definitely not feeling at peace. And the answer to stress and worry can’t be found in anything apart from God. The Bible talks about three different kinds of peace. Let’s look at them: 1) Peace with others. ‘As far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone’ (Romans 12:18 NIV). This is external peace, and we need that in order for our relationships with others to work. 2) Peace with yourself. ‘Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts’ (Colossians 3:15 NIV). This is internal peace, a sense of calm in our minds and souls which a lot of us never seem to experience. 3) Peace with God. ‘Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ’ (Romans 5:1 NIV). This is eternal peace, and it comes from knowing that we’ve got a relationship with a God who loves, cares, protects and forgives us. So here’s how it works: when you’re at peace with God you’ll be at peace with yourself, and when you’re at peace with yourself you’ll be at peace with others. That’s how peace radiates outwards.
