The kind of peace the world offers is rooted in things— “If I had a better job, a bigger house, a nicer family…then I would have peace.” Trying to base your contentment on these things will only bring disappointment. God offers the kind of peace that's real and lasting. How do you access it? After you give your life to Jesus, you must humbly surrender your agenda and trust that His plans are best for you. When you let go of your “musts” and your “lists,” and when you trust Him with everything, then you will find His peace. Learn how in this post.

"Perfect Peace" by Boyd Bailey

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal—Isaiah 26:3-4.

The world offers imperfect peace. It is temporary at best, as it comes in the form of materialism—a person—a pill—or a bottle. This caricature of peace prolongs pain and leads to long-term disappointment and disillusionment. Artificial peace restricts or rejects the peace of Almighty God, only to eventually come back and seek out what’s real. 

Are you able to sleep peacefully at night? Do you have an assurance deep down in your soul that Christ is in control and can be trusted? If not, let loose of the idols of worry and pride—redirect your energies to eternal solutions. Answers from above bring peace that’s within. Where there is trust in the Lord there is rest from fighting the enemy.

“When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him” (Proverbs 16:7, NKJV).

Accessing the Lord’s peace begins by first making peace with Him. In humble surrender and submission we unlock the control of our hearts to Christ and trust Him to give us what we need to follow Him and serve others. When we exchange our agenda for His agenda—in total trust—we in turn receive the peace of God. Peace follows trust. Peace with God results in the peace of God. Why wait until death to make peace with God?

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:1-2).

God’s peace gives us confidence to follow Christ in ministry, domestically and globally. His peace of mind is assurance that we can move forward in a relationship or a new responsibility at work. A home that is peaceful is a haven for family and for those who need a safe environment to feel secure and loved. Peace produces relational fruit that lasts.

Can the Prince of Peace be trusted to get you through this challenge with your child or this season of suffering? Yes, of course He can and He wants you to experience His peace so you can be an ambassador of peace for Almighty God. People in turmoil who engage with your peaceful demeanor, want to know more about what you know and have. 

So, use the gift of peace that Jesus has given you as a platform to proclaim His truth. Give away this gift to all who will receive it—and oh what a difference it will make if only one life receives its benefits! You don’t have to look far for candidates: a single parent, the jobless, a confused child, a fearful parent, an addict, the sick or a lost soul. The perfect peace of God cuts through confusion and keeps your mind and heart on Jesus.

“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:2-3).