Peace as Your Default Mode

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you ^[a]will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, NKJV).

Dearly loved child of God, peace is your inheritance. Let these words from the One who cherishes you sink into your spirit right now: “In Me you may have peace.” Yes, there is trouble in the world around us. Yes, we face many great difficulties in this life. In spite of it all, peace is ours. It belongs to us.

If God gives you a gift, it is yours in every sense of the word. And He says to your heart today, “Peace I leave with you, 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” (John 14:27, NKJV).

See it there? Yours. Completely yours. He gave it to you for keeps. Every day of your life, you may have peace. All the time, in every circumstance. No matter what.

“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You” (Is. 26:3, NKJV). This is not just a nice thought. It’s not just a poetic statement. You can live with perfect peace. It can even become your default mode. How? This verse holds two keys that will help us walk in this gift of His. Trust, and a thought life focused on Jesus.

As we ponder the concept of trust, who is the most trustworthy person in your life? Think about that person right now. If that person tells you they are going to do something for you, do you believe them? If you do believe them, why is that? Is it not because you have deemed them trustworthy? Yes. That person has proved themself to you again and again. You have come to know them as trustworthy.

When we come to know the Prince of Peace, that He is perfectly trustworthy, our hearts are kept in His perfect peace. We keep our thoughts pointed to Him, on Him, on His goodness, on His kindness. We make an ongoing practice of focusing on His faithful, unlimited power at work on our behalf. We intentionally bring to mind all His promises that are yes and amen. Living this way, peace protects our thoughts and our hearts. This is standard Christian living. This is what Jesus has for His disciples.

When our Father says He will take care of us, we believe Him because He has proved Himself trustworthy again and again. He is worthy of our trust. As we trust in Him, we live in peace that the world cannot steal from us. When we know we belong to Someone who loves us perfectly, we know that the future is full of His goodness.  

Today, may you rest in His kindness. May you be blessed with the peace of our Savior overflowing your heart. May His peace become your default!

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At what moments in your life have you felt the most peaceful? Is that peace transferable to everyday routines? What have you personally discovered about remaining in the Lord’s peace?