Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. —Luke 2:14

How do you define peace?

Dictionary definition:
freedom from disturbance; quiet and tranquility.
freedom from or the cessation of war or violence.

Where and when do you think you experience the most peace?

I don’t know if it’s just me, but even when I find that moment, which is few and far between, it doesn’t take long for my brain to find its own disturbance. Do you know what I mean? I don’t actually need external hostility to rob me of my peace. My own brain can do that.

What goes through your mind that disrupts your peace even in peaceful times?
Thoughts, create worries, worry creates tension, tension creates a loss of quiet and tranquility! Stupid brain!

Let’s be honest now. There has never been a time where peace was had when measured against the dictionary definition. If that is true, then peace cannot be measured or experienced based upon external circumstances.

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” —John 16:33

What is Jesus saying here? How can we have peace when according to our circumstances there is no peace.

Peace is not found in circumstances, but in HIM!

Insight into the greek word for Peace “eirene” In the Greco-Roman world, “eiréné” was
commonly understood as the absence of war and conflict. However, the biblical concept of peace extends beyond mere absence of strife to encompass a holistic sense of well-being and fulfillment. In the Hebrew tradition, this aligns with the concept of “shalom,” which includes completeness, soundness, and welfare. The New Testament writers, present “eiréné” as a divine gift, often linked to the work of Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

That sounds crazy doesn’t it. How does that even work? Let me see if I can explain it with a couple examples.

Some of you love sports. You have a favorite team and a favorite player. Some of you know the feeling of always believing you are going to win because the GOAT, greatest player of all time is on your team and on the court or field. It doesn’t matter how far down you are at half-time, if Mike or Tom is suited up, we’ve got this. Not “He’s got this”, we find peace in the situation because our hope is in HIM!

Most of us can remember a time when we got into trouble as a kid, the situation got out of control, we were scared, didn’t know how it was going to turn out. Enter Dad or mom. Once they got there, everything changed in us, maybe not around us, but we just knew it was going to be ok.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. —Philippians 4:6-7

What is Paul saying regarding Peace and our brains?

This passage implies that there is a need, a worry, a situation with the potential to steal our peace. We are told what to do with it. Tell it to God.

Why are we told to talk to God about the things which steal our peace? Because he is our hope! Remember last week. He is the source of our hope.

What is the purpose of thanking him for all he has done?

This gets our attention off of what is unknown, that which causes dis-ease, disquiet, that disturbs our peace and back onto the one who is the source of hope and provider of peace.

What does Paul say will happen when we do this? We will experience God’s peace as we live IN Christ Jesus. Not in the moment, but in Christ.

Where do you think we mess this up? So many of us aren’t living in Peace, so somewhere along the way we aren’t understanding something.

How is your peace level? If the answer is low or non-existent then ask yourself this question. What do I believe about God? What you believe about God will determine what his presence produces in you!
Example: Police: Here to help and protect, Good guys, got my back, everything is going to be ok. OR here to harass, not the good guys, out to get me, everything is not going to be ok. Isn’t it true that what we believe about someone’s presence determines what their presence produces in us? What do you believe about God?

Is God good? Is God able? Can God be trusted?

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident HOPE through the power of the Holy Spirit —Romans 15:13

God is the source of hope, who can fill us with peace, but only if we trust him. Without trust, there is no hope, without hope there can be no peace!

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all. —2 Thessalonians 3:16