Did you know that peace is an inside job? We can be a person of peace when the world feels it is collapsing around us. Jesus modeled this when He walked the Earth. There were people that tried to destroy His life from birth yet He walked in peace and courage. There were people who did not like Him or His teachings and thought He was a false teacher yet He walked in peace. In John 14:27 Jesus says “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you: not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Jesus actually spoke these words before He died on the cross. He knew where He was headed and what was about to happen, but yet He could still tell people to be not afraid and to walk in peace.
In Mark 4 we see Jesus showing us how He is a person of peace. The disciples and Jesus are in a boat. Jesus said to them “Let us cross over to the other side.” Then Jesus went to sleep. Apparently Jesus had not checked the weather before leaving, because there arose a great windstorm. The disciples roamed the boat scared of the storm, watching the water begin to fill the boat and most likely arguing over who was going to wake Jesus. All actions opposite of peace. Jesus still slept. Then the disciples finally decided to wake Him up, and instead of asking for help, they accused Him of not caring. They said to Him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” Mark 4:38. The disciples could have responded to this situation in multiple different ways if they had been walking in peace. They could have observed that Jesus was sleeping through a storm and realized they were going to be fine. They could have used what Jesus had taught them and prayed over the storm themselves. But instead they were operating in fear, so they accused Jesus. Do you not care that we are about to die? What does Jesus do? Get up and apologize for making them uncomfortable? No. Tell them he was sorry for not warning them that the storm was coming? No. Explain that He knew the storm was coming but thought He would grab a quick nap anyway? No, He got up, rebuked the winds and then told the sea. “Peace, be still!” Mark 4: 39. When the storm calmed, He turned to them and said “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” Mark 4:40.
There is a big difference between peace and appeasement. If Jesus had gotten up and apologized for not doing the things that would make the disciples feel better in the moment, they wouldn’t have learned that they can have peace and power over the storm. When we appease fear, fear gains a foothold. When we seek to make our lives free from circumstances that produce fear, we are not really living. In our wanting to move fear to the fringes of our lives and appease the fear, we actually have given fear free reign over our lives. The bottom line is we will never be able to control all the circumstances of our lives. Our lives will always be made up of storms because we live in a fallen world. However, Jesus promises peace. Jesus models to us that in the midst of the storm we can rest and then take authority over the storm. Jesus did not say I leave a perfect world for you with predictable and easily controllable circumstances. He said, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you have peace. In the world you will have tribulation but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33.
Peace is a gift from God. It is also a fruit of the Spirit. However, it is up to us to choose peace over fear and not be a victim to our circumstances. The good news is peace is not a one time offer. God is faithful to constantly give us peace as we abide in Him.