With the rise of the internet and social media, our world is much more connected than ever before. While this kind of technology has brought numerous blessings, it’s also been the cause of many curses. With just a tap or a click, we have access to more information that we can imagine—perhaps more information than we truly need. We watch scenes of political unrest unfold in cities across the country. We read articles about the devastation of wars happening halfway around the globe. We see aggravating posts and comments from people who we would never meet in real life. While some might say that this unhindered access to the world’s information is good for us, many others would argue that it is only causing us to be riddled with anxiety.
Regardless of how much time we spend perusing news sites or scrolling on Facebook, we all likely carry some anxiety about what is happening in our communities, in our cities, and around the world. We are a people who are in desperate need of peace. And thankfully, we have a God who can give that to us.
The Bible tells us that our God is a God of peace, a Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6, 1 Corinthians 14:33). As a God of peace, He sanctifies us completely and keeps us blameless in His sight, and He crushes the enemy under His feet (Romans 16:20, 1 Thessalonians 5:23). As a God who is peace, He is able to fill us with that peace which He embodies.
“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.” 2 Thessalonians 3:16, ESV
In this world, we will have tribulation. But in God, we can have peace (John 16:33). When God gives us peace, we are able to let go of our fears and troubles (John 14:27). We are able to rest, knowing that the Lord watches over us regardless of what’s happening around us (Psalm 4:8). We can have perfect peace when we trust in Him.
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3
It is truly when we put our trust in God that we can experience true peace. That’s because our peace doesn’t come from us. It doesn’t come from the activities we do or the attitudes we possess. Our peace comes from God alone. When Christ died on the cross for our sins, He secured for us eternal peace. And we can only experience this peace through faith in this great work.
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1
We have peace in Christ. But how exactly can we maintain this peace as we navigate our lives on this earth? How can we ensure that the peace of Christ rules in our hearts (Colossians 3:15)? By setting our mind on the Spirit (Romans 8:6). By casting our anxieties on God (1 Peter 5:7). And by praying and giving thanks to the Lord.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
As we find ourselves at peace, we are better able to be at peace with those around us, with our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. We are able to seek peace and pursue it, turning away from evil (1 Peter 3:11). We are able to strive for peace and holiness, by which others know that we are Christ followers (Hebrews 12:14). And we are able and “eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” we share with other believers (Ephesians 4:3).
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” Matthew 5:9
We live in a time and an age where anxiety is at an all-time high. Many are looking at what’s happening across the world and wondering how things could ever get better. But as believers and followers of Jesus Christ, we can have peace. We serve a God of peace, and we can trust that He will fill us with peace at all times. Though we did nothing to deserve it, Jesus saved us through the shedding of His own blood, and He has promised to remake this world into a better one someday soon. We can have peace—more than that, we can have joy (Proverbs 12:20)! We have a God who longs to hear our prayers, our concerns, and in return, He fills us with an unexplainable peace as we trust Him to watch over us until He leads us home.
As we walk into this new year, we are bound to encounter things that cause us great anxiety. But take heart! God is sovereign. He has ordained all that will come to pass, and He is working all things for our good and His glory. When you are tempted to be afraid, turn your face to Jesus and ask Him to give you peace.
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26
