To enjoy the peace of God, we must be intentional in remaining in His peace. An important factor in having a peaceful life is avoiding chaos and overcommitment. A chaotic lifestyle is not conducive to having the peace of God. Sometimes when people are overcommitted, it is because they try to avoid dealing with some serious issues in their lives. If we ignore or deny them, it will just perpetuate problems, and it will lead to a vicious cycle of anxiety and unrest. Are you overcommitted? Is overcommitment a normal operating procedure? Do you know why you overcommit?
The work of righteousness will be peace, And the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever. Isaiah 32:17
The Lord shows us that if we want to live a peaceful life, we need to stay on His path. When we do what is right in the eyes of the Lord, we don’t have to worry about getting into trouble or getting anxious about getting caught. We make commitments that we can keep. We sleep well at night, and it helps us not to have any shame or guilt for doing things wrong. A righteous life allows our mind to be quiet and our emotions settled. We also feel the confidence that God is pleased and He is with us.
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Ephesians 6:14-15
God’s peace is one of the characteristics of the fruit of the spirit, and it is also a weapon in a spiritual warfare. The peace of God is our protection from the attacks of the enemy. In our spiritual journey, we should be able to experience the peace of God more and more because we have learned to deny ourselves, yield to God, and enjoy His acceptance in our lives.
As we grow and mature in the peace of God, not only do we enjoy His peace, but we also get to share this peace with others. Living a peaceful life is seen and felt by others. When our feet are shod with the gospel of peace, we take peace wherever we go. The gospel is the good news that Jesus has come to move into our neighborhoods, and He is bringing peace with Him. He wants to make peace with people, and He desires for people to live at peace with each other. When others see the peace of God in our lives, they can begin to believe that it is possible not to live in strife or in battle with others anymore. They also realize that it’s time for them to put their natural weapons down and receive the peace of God, which they so desperately need.
Are you more peaceful today than you were a year ago or five years ago? What needs to change for you to enjoy God’s peace?
