There are two ways in which one can define peace. It can either be the absence of war or freedom from disturbance, according to Google. Major damage that is being done to our world today is the destruction of peace. It’s almost as if in every corner of the earth you turn to, there’s one problem or the other. But today, God wants us to turn our attention away from all that is going on around us and have Him as our focus. 

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you because he trusts in you.”

Isaiah 26:3 

Peter was already walking on water but he took his eyes off Jesus for a moment and began to sink (Matt. 14:22-33). Likewise, when we take our focus off Jesus and begin to look at the turbulence around us, we begin to sink into the challenges of life. Isaiah 26:3 shows us that the peace of God that comes with positioning your mind on God depicts trust. When we keep our minds on God, we develop our trust in Him and by implication, He keeps us in perfect peace. Peace so wide that it encompasses every aspect of our lives. God has given us peace and He tells us that for as long as we keep our trust in Him, we would be kept in that peace. Jesus perfects our trust (Heb. 12:2). By perfecting our trust, Jesus alone can perfect our peace. So, we must continue to fix our minds and gaze on Him. 

This however doesn’t mean it will always be roses and sunshine. In fact, Jesus tells us that in the world we would have tribulations, nevertheless, there is comfort of peace in this message.

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“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33

Just like how light is manifested in the midst of darkness, peace is better understood in times of tribulations. Jesus tells us there would tribulations, challenges, storms, and all of that. The thing about the peace of God is that it doesn’t promise that there won’t be storms or challenges. The promise of the peace of God is the fact that He has overcome the world so we do not need to be afraid. He assures us that that storm wouldn’t swallow us whole. We can hope confidently in the fact that He has overcome the world. We can put our minds to rest knowing that in Him we have peace. True peace can come from no other source but God. Until you have peace from God, whatever peace you may have is not true, lasting peace. This is why Jesus tells us again that He has given us His peace.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

John 14:27

The world tends to give a false sense of security and peace. True and lasting peace is from God since He is the pioneer. God’s peace is one that passes understanding. In other words, it’s hard to explain and even harder to understand. The whole world could be going up in flames but you’re there, chilling. That’s peace that is beyond understanding. Peace so deep that it just can’t be explained. It looks like foolery to the ordinary man. 

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:7

This was the kind of peace Jesus exhibited on the ship. There was a huge storm, so terrible the disciples were almost sure of perishing and there Jesus was, sleeping. Everyone was running helter-skelter in fear but Jesus was fast asleep (Matt. 8:23-27). This is unexplainable peace. Jesus is the prince of peace and he has given us access to this peace through the Holy Spirit. (Isaiah 9:6; Galatians 5:22)

“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.”

2 Thess. 3:16.