Not as the World Gives: Seeking Inner Peace in an Unpeaceful World

I’ve thought a lot about peace for the last few years. As I walked through personal difficulty, emotional struggles, and financial hardship. When my marriage hit bumps and my kids suffered. I wasn’t sure exactly what it meant or what it looked like.

In moments like this in history, I get a sort of out-of-time experience in my spirit where I feel as though I’m in an irrevocable moment. Like something is happening, but not necessarily the obvious thing we’re looking at.

I felt it during the pandemic when we quarantined and isolated, and then proceeded to divide and break faith with each other. I watched as people did more damage to families and churches than any virus could have alone.

I feel it again now as I look at what is happening in the world and wonder what it means for those it’s happening to but also for the rest of us. It’s all connected.

How do I find peace?

Whether my struggles are within or without, the kind of confidence that allows me to keep moving forward in uncertain times is a steadying force. One that I can’t just manifest through the force of my own will.

I heard a friend preach on humility last week and it’s had me thinking why Jesus was able to be so humble but not be a doormat. Because he knew who he was. When we have confidence in who God made us and his sovereign power over our lives, we can walk in humility. We don’t need to justify, or defend ourselves, spend time trying to impress or convince others of our relevance.

With that confidence comes peace. The peace of knowing I’m not in control (Thank God!) and knowing that He is.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27