Peace 
By Mike Rule

I have shared much of my recent journey with you in articles like Senseless, Terrified, It’s Called Fear, and My Word. However, it would be very misleading if I only shared the struggles without also sharing what God has revealed through them.

The number one thing that has overwhelmed me in the midst of these trials is the peace of God. I am finding in new and profound ways how His peace can rule our hearts. This has absolutely NOTHING to do with our circumstances. In fact, circumstantially things may not be better (they may be worse than ever), but His peace is worth the cost.

Accepting God’s definition of victory is difficult. We want comfort, ease, and freedom from situations that bring turmoil. This is the kind of peace that the world offers and suggests we seek. God longs to give us those things, but He also has an agenda that far exceeds worldly peace. Peace according to His definition, based upon His bigger agenda for our lives, can rule our hearts beyond any external situation. "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27) Let’s face it: the world promises an elusive peace that it can never deliver. But Jesus delivers a peace that can only come from God Himself.

The peace of God brings us above our circumstances, not necessarily because we see things from God’s perspective, but rather because we see God and know God. I’m not sure anyone can really define God’s peace, but it is a reality He wants us to experience. In reality there is only one peace – His peace. Anything else is simply an attempt to duplicate something that only God can give. Anything other than His peace is counterfeit. Real peace is not a condition: Peace is a person and His name is Jesus. "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful." (Colossians 3:15)