Sitting by a still pond, or relaxing by a lazy river offers a calm and peaceful surrounding to be sure, but these are not the places that God uses to teach us peace.  If we are going to learn what true peace is like, then our classroom will most likely be in the midst of troubles, turmoil and challenges.  Personally, I would love to go through life learning only happy lessons from easy instructors, but that’s not where the best lessons are learned.  Thinking back to schooldays, easy classes were nice, but it was the challenging classes that strengthened me and lifted me to new heights of knowledge and understanding.

The troubles in our lives may lead us to question God.  “Don’t you want me to have peace?  Why do you allow my life to be so difficult?”  I’m sure many of the early Christians felt this way as they faced persecution of all types.  James wrote to encourage them saying, “My brothers and sisters, when you have many kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy, because you know that these troubles test your faith, and this will give you patience.  Let your patience show itself perfectly in what you do.  Then you will be perfect and complete and will have everything you need.”

In a troubled marriage, God can develop a peace that passes all understanding.  When a child goes astray, He is able to give us peace.  His peace is available in the midst of cancer, or MS or Lou Gehrig’s disease.  Peace is barely recognizable in calm surroundings, but it shines brightly in our trials and difficulties.  That’s how we know the peace is from Him and way beyond us. Jesus said, “My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Father, our hearts are prone to worry and fear, but you are the God of peace. Thank you that just as you calmed the restless sea, you can calm our heart and mind. Father we trust you with the details of our life, we look to you for joy and peace to fill our soul. We love you Lord. Thank you for your great love for us and the way you work in our lives beyond what we can imagine. 

Photo by Óscar Dejean on Unsplash