Thoughts On Peace
Introduction—Peace.
Every human throughout history has longed for peace—you and I are are included in that collective desire. As we experience pain and weariness, we long for peace to calm our restless souls. As we watch nations divided within and nations warring against one another, we long for peace to heal the human divide in our world. As we struggle with the burden of broken relationships and conflict, we long for peace to heal the relational fractures in our lives.
Peace is multidimensional. Some think of peace as "something I desire inside of me." Others think of peace as "something I desire around me." Both of these are correct desires. Peace is both / and. It is internal, something we desire from within. It is external, something we desire from without.
Peace as an emotion is the feeling of wholeness and well-being in our soul.
Peace in the Bible
There are two biblical terms used for peace that help us to understand the nature of peace. The first word comes from the Old Testament. It's a term that reveals a prominent human desire and a promise from God for His people. The term is שָׁלוֹם | shalom. Shalom means wholeness, or well-being, or a state of health. This well-being or wholeness is related to our souls, our relationships with one another, our relationship with God, and our relationship with the world.
The second word comes from the New Testament. This also is a prominent word in relationship to human desire and a promise from God for followers of Jesus. The term is εἰρήνη | eirēnē. Eirēnē means a state of harmony, well-being or peace. It is the New Testament counterpart to shalom.
We were created by God to experience peace. Prior to the entrance of human autonomy and sin, humans lived in perfect peace. They functioned in perfect harmony with God's design. They existed in a state of well-being spiritually, relationally, physically, mentally, emotionally and socially. The garden was a place of peace. However, human peace was fractured and lost post-Genesis 3. Ever since the events of Genesis 3, humans have been in pursuit of peace, aching and longing to be restored to a place of well-being.
Dimensions of Peace
The reality of peace threads through the entire Bible. There is a deep longing in all parts of God's creation for peace. The Bible describes peace in all of its dimensions.
Peace as an attribute of God. God is called the God of Peace. Peace first and foremost exists in God, and he shares peace with humans who are created in His Image. Peace is an attribute of God. He dwells in a state of wholeness and well-being in every way.
Isaiah 9:6: For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Philippians 4:9: And the God of peace will be with you.
Peace of God. The peace of God is a state of wholeness and well-being that God designed for the human soul. God created us to live in a perpetual state of wholeness, inner rest and well-being in our soul. This state in our soul is a core human desire and pursuit.
Philippians 4:6-7: Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Peace as an emotion. Embedded into the biblical idea of peace is a feeling of well-being and wholeness in our souls. Peace is an emotion, and it is also more than an emotion. The promise of peace as an emotional state is often given within the context of human suffering and conflict. God offers us peace when we walk through the valleys of suffering. Peace as an emotion is connected to the peace of God. God's peace is available to every follower of Jesus as an emotional state during the challenging moments of human life.
John 14:27: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
2 Thessalonians 3:16: Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.
Isaiah 26:3: You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
Peace with God. Peace with God is a state of right relationship with Him. This reconciled relationship takes place through faith in the good news of Jesus--His death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sin. Jesus came to this earth so that you and I could be at peace with God. He desires relationship with us. And he pursued a relationship with us through Jesus.
Romans 5:1: Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Peace as reconciliation between humans. Peace is often pictured as the act of bringing together people who are at enmity with one another. Reconciliation changes a relationship from a state of enmity to a state of peaceful relations. We live in a world full of conflict. And the God of peace brings peace to once divided relationships.
Ephesians 2:14: For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,
Peacemakers. Followers of Jesus are called into a life of being peacemakers. Peacemakers seek peace with others, and they help others make peace with one another. They essentially practice bringing peaceful relations as a reflection of God who is the ultimate peacemaker. The activity of peacemaking in a fractured world is messy. Peacemaking cannot be established without a healthy understanding of conflict.
Matthew 5:9: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Finding Peace
Finding peace seems to be a common challenge for humanity. Many of us, in this very moment, are trying to figure out a pathway toward peace in our lives. Here are three places to begin...
Relationship with God. Peace is, first and foremost, found in a relationship with the One who is the embodiment of peace--God. If God designed us to dwell in a perpetual state of peace, then we can only find the peace we are longing for in a relationship with Him. The God who designed you, deeply desires a relationship with you. Trust in Him. Talk to Him. Cultivate a relationship with Him. In Him you will find peace.
Tending to Your Soul. Peace is found tending to the well-being of our soul. How did God originally design us to function in a complete state of well-being? And how can we live in that design? Tending to the well-being of our soul may look like daily praying, processing emotions in a healthy manner, creating margin to invest into activities that inspire you, communicating honestly as we walk through pain and suffering, maintaining good sleep habits, pursuing healthy relationships and community, or reading scripture. Live in the habits and rhythms that cultivate the well-being of your soul.
Peace with People. Peace is found in the work of peacemaking. We follow the God of peace. We are by design created to be people of peace. There are fractured relationships in our lives. What do we do with those? When we face conflict how can we both communicate honestly and offer grace and forgiveness toward those who have wronged us? There are fractured relationships in our social contexts and world. What do we do with those? "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." (Romans 12:18) Be a person that works toward relational healing instead of relational division.
As Jesus said to His disciples on multiple occasions... Peace be with you.
There Are Better Days Ahead.
Much Love + Peace,
Wesley, Founder + Speaker.