What is Peace?
6:00 AM
Today is another theological post because WHY NOT, GUYS. GOD IS AWESOME.
Back in March, I posted about joy. If you read it, you’ll have seen that I am undertaking a study of the fruits of the spirit. I’m on patience now, actually, but I realized I hadn’t written down my thoughts and what I discovered about peace.
So. Here they are!
Also: I have a format now. *snorts and pushes glasses up nose* Because I’m so smart. I have developed three questions that I ask during each study.
1: What is (concept)?
2: What does the bible say about (concept)?
3: What does (concept) look like in our lives?
These three questions are so important. I will now, to the best of my abilities, give you the answers I discovered over the month-ish long study.
What is peace?
Merriam-Webster dictionary defines peace as, "A state of tranquility or quiet: as (a) freedom from civil disturbance (b) a state of security or order within a community provided for by law or custom." The verb form of the word is, "To be, become, or keep silent or quiet."
Some other definitions include, "A stress free state of security and calmness that comes when there's no fighting or war, everything coexisting in perfect harmony and freedom," and, "Harmony in personal relations."
These definitions have one big thing in common: they require the absence of something. Absence of war. Absence of harm and slavery.
In other words, to fully receive the peace as is defined by the world, you either have to be completely ignorant and oblivious to everything, or live in utopia.
World peace is basically impossible.
So what kind of peace is God's peace? What did Paul mean when he listed it among the other fruits of the spirit?
God's peace, as is the case with His love and joy, is quite different than the world's.
The world requires absence of war. But it is our very human nature to fight. We are constantly at war. Maybe not physically, but our spirit is in a nearly constant battle with Satan. We battle temptations and weaknesses each and every day of our lives.
How can we have peace if that means no war?
This train of thought leads to answers to the second question.
What does the bible say about peace?
Jesus tells us in John 14:27, "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." And later, in 16:33; "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."
So here, Jesus tells us several things. First, our peace is not what the world would give us. Meaning, no, he's not going to relieve us of war. He's not going to take our trials and our hardships and give us a perfect, undisturbed life. We're going to have trouble in this world. It's just life.
But He's given us instructions. Philippians 4:6-7 says, "Do not be anxious for anything. But for everything, through prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."
Pray. Pray a lot. If you have worries, just talk to God about them. Remember Matthew 6:26. "Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. are you not of more value than they?"
God takes care of everything else! Look at His marvelous, delicately balanced creation! What makes you think He'll ever give up on you?
What does peace look like in our lives?
This has been the hardest question with every fruit so far. How to apply it? How to let it change you?
There's no easy answer to this. The main thing is to meditate on it. When you are afraid, when trials come, remember who God is and what He has already done for you. Remember the eternity awaiting you in heaven with God. Remember that He loves you.
In the end, everything is going to be okay. You have to remember that. No matter what, God wins. Paul has it spot on in Romans 9:38-39.
"For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Take a deep breath. We're going to be okay. In the end, God still wins. And, as His children, we win too. If that doesn't give you peace, I don't know what will.
Your turn! How would you define peace? What are some of your favorite scriptures about it? What do you think peace should look like in our lives? Please tell me your thoughts! <3
25 comments
Hannah you are awesome at making really enlightening posts! I have your post on writing without fear bookmarked on my phone 💜
ReplyDeleteI do know usually people say peace is the absence of war, but I really think of it as relief and being comfortable where you're at without disturbances and all the happy thoughts you can think of. :P
Peace should look like... being happy and contented, I guess! I'm really thinking about internal peace right now for some reason, but it really intrigues me because if you're not at peace with yourself, I don't think it's going to be easy to be at peace with others.
So. Just my thoughts. Shared right now.
(And have I told you two weeks ago I went to Hobbiton? No? It was AWESOME. I saw the actual Hobbit hole of Frodo, the posts that Gandalf and Frodo passed through to enter the Shire, and the pub/bar where the actors signed their names in a logbook!)
AHHHHHDSKFJASHKFJHAEKJFHASKFJHESFESKJHSDF I REMEMBER YOU SAYING YOU WERE GOING TO GO AND AHHHHH THAT IS SO AMAZINGGGGGGGGG. I want to gooooo.
DeleteI'm so so glad you liked the post! And that makes me so happy that you bookmarked the fear post AKSJDHFDSJFHDS *happy flailing*
And I really like your thoughts on peace, yesyes *nods* *hands out chocolate and coffee and all the happy things*
This is a beautiful post! For me, I find peace in the knowing that even though there will be tough times ahead, that God will be by my side and help me get through them. Thanks for sharing this. :D
ReplyDeleteYesyesyes! Such truth! :D
DeleteI love this! :)
ReplyDeleteAwww thank you! <3
DeleteThis is awesome, Hannah! I totally agree with everything you said. Peace is something the world can NEVER give us...we only get it from God, the source of all peace. I've definitely seen how through all the trials and the hurt in our lives God gives us perfect peace.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful writing, Hannah! <3
Yes, that is so true! Thank you! :D
DeleteThis is really interesting, Hannah. I love this <3 I must go back and read your "Joy" one now.
ReplyDeleteThank you! <3 I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
DeleteThat was so lovely, and inspiring, and just absolutely wonderful, Hannah! <3
ReplyDeleteHehe, and I'm not even going to try to create my own definition, because honestly, you said it perfectly. But one of my favorite Bible verses about peace is Isaiah 55:12-13, "For you shall go out with joy, and be led out with peace; The mountains and the hills shall break forth into singing before you, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree, and it shall be to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off."
Hm...and I believe that in our lives, peace should look like joy, in every situation. Even when it's the hardest time, we should still be looking for that joy in God.
Anywhooo, that was a wonderful post, Hannah! You're such a brilliant bean!
Yesssss peace and joy go hand in hand! And that verse is lovely. Thanks for sharing! <3
DeletePeace for me is feeling not stressed and calm.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good definition =)
DeleteDANG IT I CLICKED BACK AND DELETED MY COMMENT.
ReplyDelete*commencing rewriting*
Okay. Lemme try this for the third time. (First time went back and deleted. Second time had a whole bunch of typos)
DeleteOkay, so. I applaud you. Nice post, good job :)
So... I haven't really touched bases with my thoughts on what peace is, but I shall try.
Peace is quiet. Calmness. Lack of stress. Tranquility. Peace is being absolutely happy and carefree, yet not having your head in the clouds. It's loving unconditionally, not being afraid, trusting God. (Kinda like Hakuna Matata, lol XD)
SO YEAH. THATS AS GOOD AS MY TIRED DEAD BRAIN CAN DO.
*hugs* ~Hann
Hehehehe Awwww *hugs back* These comments cracked me up XP Good descriptions of peace! <3
DeleteLol, thanks. I was kind of brain dead, and or doesn't help that I'm almost always on my phone. Do ya know how hard it is to type CORRECTLY on this tiny screen? XD
DeleteLol IKR? I do all my commenting stuff on either my iPad or on the computer because I just can't stand trying to do it on my phone XP
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteHannah, this is SO insightful. Wow, thank you for writing this. ^.^
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you. And that last verse you shared brings me comfort all the time. <3
I also love the "study-forumula thing" you came up with! When I ever in-depth study the fruits of the spirit, I will use it. (I hope you don't mind -- I won't post it on a blog or anything. ;)
Again, loved this post! ^.^
Awwwwww I'm so glad! Of course you can use my "study-formula thing"! And it can be used for any concept (e.g. beauty, hope, trust, etc.), not just fruits of the spirit!
DeleteI'm so glad you like the formula and post! <3<3<3
Wow... You're 'theological' posts are soooo much better than mine. :P Bravo, girl! Lots of good thinking-stuff here. ;)
ReplyDeletePshawwww. *hides* Thank you! <3
DeleteComments bring us happiness and warm fuzzies, so please share your thoughts! Stan and I want everyone to be welcome, so we ask that you be kind and courteous and use nice language.