For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and he will be our ruler, and his name shall be called “Wonderful Counselor,” “Mighty God,” “Everlasting Father,” “Prince of Peace”.
Isaiah 9:6
We live in uncertain times, and we can all agree that there are so many things in the world, especially now, that threaten our peace, like sickness, job loss, pandemic, family crisis, to name a few. Everyone’s got one thing or another that seems to threaten their happiness, but these things are not new to God and are certainly below His feet.
My mum knew this. I learned to choose peace firsthand from my mum. She has been through many health scares, cancers included (you can read more of her story in my book, “Sow the right seed: A parent’s perspective” here https://www.amazon.com/Sow-right-Seeds-perspective-experiences/dp/1662805519), and as a child, I never saw her in a low spirit.
A patient I took care of some years back also knew this. He inspired me and others to seek God’s peace no matter the circumstances. He was battling end-stage lung cancer, and every movement he made dropped his oxygen saturation. On the outside, we saw a man in distress, but he was so peaceful on the inside. The calm on his face, the smile, the stories he told, and the words he shared were so encouraging that I left his room feeling uplifted.
Peace, be still!
Does that ring a bell? That is what Jesus said in Mark 4:35-41 to calm the raging storm when he was on the boat with his disciples. Immediately, there was instant calm which amazed the disciples, and they started asking, “who then is this, for even the wind and the sea obey him?
Remember, he is the Prince of Peace! And he is capable of calming any storm in our lives.
So, amid every chaos, every crisis, sickness, job loss, let us call on Jesus for his peace. Peace like no other. The best part is that God offers His Peace free of charge to each of us, young and old alike. Jesus tells us in John 14:27, peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
Note, we cannot find the peace we need anywhere in the world. That means we cannot buy it with money. The peace we need is found in knowing Jesus. It comes from reading and meditating on the scripture daily and having that personal relationship with God in prayer. Trust me when I say you will see the difference. The worries, fear, and anxiety will gradually fade away even amid crises.
Being a Christian does not mean we are immune to trials and tribulations. It means that God will strengthen us through it all and never leave us nor forsake us. On top of that, He grants us his peace that surpasses all human understanding. You know God loves us all so much that he prepared us ahead of time.
Jesus said in John 16:33, “I have told you this, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulations, but be of good courage, I have overcome the world”.
Why choose peace? Why not?
The last time I checked, the opposite of peace can mean turmoil or unrest, and we all know that adding unrest or turmoil to an already unstable situation can only worsen things. Hence, let not your heart be troubled.
I know, easier said than done, right? But it is doable and a lot easier with God.
Did I mention that one person does not want us to have peace? That is the enemy (devil), and he will do everything possible to ensure that. So that is why we must stay close to God and beat the devil to his tricks by choosing God’s Peace on purpose.
So, I encourage everyone to find Peace in God and share it with others. But, most importantly, share it with your children and grandchildren since they learn more from observing what the adults in their lives do, not so much what they say (just like I learned from my mum).
I like this prayer by St. Francis of Assisi that says:
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.
This Christmas season, as we wait in anticipation of He that is to be born – the “Wonderful Counselor,” “Mighty God,” “Everlasting Father,” the Prince of Peace, may our hearts be filled with joy, happiness, and peace. I pray that in the middle of any storm that you are going through right now, and it seems like there is no way out, that the good Lord will see you through it and strengthen you as you seek His Peace.
“Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all”- 2 Thessalonians 3:16
Merry Christmas, and God bless you and your family!
Ngozi