How Can I Have Inner Peace?
The personal turmoil that every human being experiences is a sign of separation from God. Because we are not in right relationship with our Creator, our hearts suffer from worry, anxiety, restlessness and even despair. The good news is that anyone can experience true inner peace when they place their trust in God through Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul tells us that faith in Christ gives us peace with God: “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1).
It is a mistake, however, to regard this type of peace with a feeling. There are times when our hearts will be stirred with concern. Even the Lord Jesus was disturbed by the things he observed (John 2:15; Mark 3:5). However, those feelings did not overwhelm his sense of peace. The peace of mind and heart that God offers and virtually everyone wants is not a feeling, but a state of well being; a belief that all is under the sovereign control of a God who loves us. It involves more than the kind of feeling a person has when he looks at his bank balance and sees that there is plenty of money in his account. It is greater than the “peace” one might feel after having just received a strong job performance evaluation, a promotion and significant raise in pay.
Jesus himself promised his disciples a lasting peace in the midst of a troubled world: ”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” (John 14:27). The disciples could experience this peace because as followers of God’s Son, they were reconciled to the Father. As Paul explained: “God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them (2 Corinthians 5:19). This reconciliation issues forth with hope, trust, and confidence in our hearts that God loves us and will take care of us today and in the future, even through death.
Paul also encourages believers with the promise of God’s presence and help during difficult times. He said, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, 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.” (Philippians 4:6-7)
Inner peace can only be known as a spiritual blessing given by God when we are in right relation to Him through faith in Jesus Christ, His Son. This peace remains on believers as they walk in sweet fellowship with Christ, abiding in Him and in His purposes for their lives (John 15: 5). The apostle Paul said: “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” (Colossians 3:15)
If you don’t have inner peace, check to see if you are a true believer in Jesus Christ. Apart from Him, there is no peace (Isaiah 26:3). If you are a Christian, and the peace of God is eluding you, then find out why. Are you living with un-confessed sin in your life? Isaiah 48:22 says, “There is no peace for the wicked.” You cannot expect God to give you His abiding peace while you remain disobedient. Are you ignorant of God’s Word and the comforting assurance it gives you? Study the doctrines of the Bible about God’s grace. Stop trusting on your emotions and lean hard on the peace-giving truths that God has set forth in His Word.
