How can I have peace in the storm?
As I think back about my grandmother, I don’t recall ever seeing her openly panicky or upset. It was as if her personality always ran in slow motion like a leaf floating on calm waters. However, the rapids she passed through in her life on Earth were hardly mild. In the raging waters of tribulation, she suffered great loss… and yet in my memories, she had this peace that was beyond human understanding, especially for those on the outside looking in. But those who were close to her knew the profound faith she had in her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She had truly accepted and confessed Jesus as her Savior. She had peace with God, for by accepting Jesus’ gift of salvation and confessing Him as her Lord, her sins were forgiven. (See Romans 5:1). And because she had peace with God, the Holy Spirit filled her with the peace of God. (See Galatians 5:22).
I have been continuing to read and study Paul’s letters in the Bible. The other day I was reading about the fruits of the Spirit in Galatians, and then, yesterday I studied his letter to the Romans and how, only through Jesus, can we have peace with God. Paul is certainly a picturesque example of a man who has peace with God and the peace of God. I think of his imprisonment in Phillipi. Acts 16 details that Paul and Silas had been beaten, and we know there must have been many open wounds because we are told later how the jailer cleansed their stripes. Yet, despite their pain from their injuries, despite the stocks on their feet, despite their current situation, Paul and Silas prayed and sang songs of praise to the Lord. (See Acts 16:23-25 KJV). How… we might ask? I suppose that is why Paul refers to it in the book of Philippians as the ‘peace of God, which passeth all understanding’ (Philippians 4:7 KJV).
Jesus spoke of this peace several times… the peace we have through Him. In John 14:27, Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled; neither let it be afraid” (KJV). And again, in John 16:33, Jesus says, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In this world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (KJV). This peace that Jesus assures us of and that is demonstrated in the life of Paul comes from the Holy Spirit as we have faith and complete trust in God. According to Philippians 4:6-7, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (KJV).
