Live in Peace and Let It Rule! Greg Kaidannek Finding peace and living in a constant state of tranquility is a lifelong challenge. But it’s exactly what God desires for each of us.
W hen you hear the word peace, what comes to mind? Maybe it’s a quiet, crystal-blue lake in the backcoun- try. Or perhaps white doves in flight. You might picture someone flashing the universal peace sign. Some think of Jerusalem, the “city of peace.” Whatever we envision, peace has become more of a rar- ity than the norm. From political squabbles and wars to trade disputes, road rage, and pollution in our national parks—true peace is hard to find. Each day brings trials that threaten our sense of calm. A bad medical report, the death of a loved one, soaring grocery bills, car troubles, or marital tension—these pressures leave us unsettled. Many struggle to find peace, but for Christians, that shouldn’t be the case. Christ knew the struggles of being human and told His disciples in John 14:27: Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid The Greek word for peace— eirēnē —means peace, qui- etness, and rest. That’s what God intends for His peo - ple, even in trials.
History shows that God’s people have always endured hardships. Hebrews 11, the “Faith Chapter,” gives many examples of individuals facing severe trials with resil - ience and strength.. They lived normal lives through abnormal times. How did they do it? They were able to be at peace. To experience peace each day, we must apply a power- ful principle found in Colossians 3:15: And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. God freely offers His peace to His chosen faithful (John 14:27). All we must do is simply accept it—but that’s not easy. Letting someone or something govern your life can be difficult. Yet Christians do not really have a choice in the matter. Letting God’s peace rule our lives is essential to our future. LET PEACE RULE As with all aspects of Christianity, lasting peace begins with a choice: a decision to let God lead. The Greek word for “rule” in Colossians 3:15 is brabeuō , which Strong’s Concordance defines as “to arbitrate” or “to govern.” The Peace of God is supposed to act as an ar - bitrator governing in our hearts and minds. If we want to gain control over anxiety and fear, we must first surrender control to God and let His Spirit govern your thoughts. But there’s more. Thayer’s Lexicon likens brabeuō to a judge. If you’ve ever watched a courtroom, you’ve seen how much authority the judge holds. A single com - mand—“Sit down,” or “Silence!”—must be obeyed immediately. God’s peace must rule our minds with that same kind of authority. Have you ever lost sleep over an unresolved issue?
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