What is your definition of peace? Is it the absence of war? Is it merely not fighting with someone else? Have you considered your definition of peace does not align with God’s? What if you have pursuing incomplete peace? Would you like to have the peace of God?
We see negotiations for peace when nations are at war with one another. We may make our children stop their fighting, thinking that is peace. Yet, there is an underlying turmoil continuing in the hearts of those who are at odds with one another. The peace is temporary.
The peace of God is different. It is built on the trust that God is in control of all things. It is not merely the absence of war or strife but the indwelling and control of the Holy Spirit. Yet, we can be robbed of God’s peace with worldly worries, bitterness, hatred, anger, frustration, and failure to forgive. Holding onto grudges robs us of the peace God is willing to grant us.
When bitterness grabs hold of us, God’s grace does not reach us. Why? We reject it. The same is true anytime we fail to trust God is in control. We like to think that God’s grace is shed across us no matter what…and it is true, except we often reject it due to our worry, bitterness, hatred, anger, frustration, and failure to forgive.
If we will give up our negativeness and accept God’s grace, we will have peace that is beyond understanding. Not only will we have peace, but we will obtain the holiness we need to see Jesus for who He really is. Our picture of Him will become clearer. It compounds itself. The more negativeness we are willing to give up, the more peace and holiness we have, and the more we see Jesus.
I pray we all seek to trust God is in control. I pray we decide to give up our negativeness. I pray each one of us will accept God’s grace and see Jesus for who He is, gaining a clearer picture of Him. Trust God. Give up negativeness. Accept God’s grace. See Jesus. Obtain peace that is beyond understanding.
Hebrews 12:14-15 Pursue peace with everyone and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God, that no root of bitterness springs up and causes trouble and through it many become defiled.
Marty Pressey 