BE AT PEACE WITH YOURSELF

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give you.” (John 14:27)

The moment we read or utter the word ‘Peace’, the immediate thought that comes to our mind is ‘not being at war’. Just like the world understands the word peace as a situation where there is no war, we can say that we are at peace with ourselves when there’s no war waging within us. Therefore, the peace I want to stress here is the “Peace within”.

If there is to be peace in the world, it should start within us first. When we are at peace with ourselves, we will be at peace with others also.
Our mind is a battlefield where continuous battles are fought day in and day out. Battle between good and evil, right and wrong, doubts and fears, guilt and conviction, love and hatred, envy and discontent, anger and hatred. The list is endless. This leads to a lot of stress within ourselves. In such a situation, how can one be at peace with oneself? The Bible asks “can a man take fire to his bosom, and his clothes not burned? (Proverbs 6:27).
Peace or ‘Shalom’ (Hebrew word for Peace) is used as a Jewish greeting and farewell.

Man has always been in search of peace. We learn that Gautam Buddha renounced his Kingdom and went in search of peace. Man is today running here and there for peace. Some go to the Himalayas or some other mountain caves for meditation seeking peace. Some others visit holy places, temples, and seek the guidance of yoga and spiritual gurus in search of peace. Many people, especially youngsters, try to find peace in rock music, drugs and alcohol. But the peace that this world offers is only temporary and transient.
Jesus said, “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”.(John 14:27). The peace that Jesus promised us is not like the transient peace the world offers us. That’s why Jesus clearly said that He is giving us His peace, which is not like the peace the world gives.

In order to have peace within ourselves, we have to have peace with God. Only then our hearts will be free of troubles and fright.

The following points are also helpful to have peace of mind.
1. We’ve to pray to God to help us conquer all the negative thoughts, fears and doubts that keep attacking our mind. Resist the devil (1 Peter 5:9) with God’s help.
Pour out your heart before the Lord. We read in the Bible (1 Samuel 1:15 &17) that Hannah poured out her soul before the Lord, ….and her face was no longer sad. She experienced the peace within her.
2. Shed all egos and be sincere to your conscience. Do not do anything that gives you a prick of conscience.

3. Remember, if you are not careful you yourself can turn out to be your greatest enemy. Your worst enemy is not anyone in the outside world; but the one inside you, who keeps condemning and criticising you, and keeps undermining your self-esteem.
4. Surrender yourself to God and commit your way to the Lord. Spend Quiet time with your God in prayer and Bible study, preferably early in the morning.
5. Trust in the Lord and do good (Psalm 37:3). Whoever trusts in the Lord is happy. (Proverbs 16:20b). He has no fear and therefore is at peace with himself.
6. Help others who are in need. Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so. (Proverbs 3:27). The Bible exhorts us to do good, be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share. (1 Timothy 6:18). For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. (1 Timothy 6:7). That is why Jesus said that it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35). And you will experience peace within.
7. Pursue peace with all people (Hebrews 12:14). If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all (Romans 12:18).
8. Do not hold guilt within your heart and don’t be your own judge. Confess it to God and reconcile with him. If possible, confess and reconcile with the person whom you’ve sinned. The Bible says, “Blessed is the man whose transgression is forgiven and whose sin is forgiven” (Psalm 32:2). If we confess our sins to the Lord (Jesus), He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1John 1:9). Once God has forgiven your sins, why don’t you forgive yourself? Remember, ‘to err is human and to forgive is Divine’. Don’t live with the past guilt if you have reconciled with God.
9. Do not hold hatred and carry vengeance in your heart. It can only harm you. Repay no one evil for evil (Romans 12:17). Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21).
10. Be content in your heart. Do not crave for more. Godliness with contentment is great gain (1 Timothy 6:6). Do not envy others. It is rottenness to the bones. (Proverbs 14:30).
11. Have a thankful heart to God and to men.
12. Be pleasing. Pleasant words are like a honeycomb (Proverbs 16:24). When a man’s ways pleases the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him (Proverbs 16:7).

Thus, when you are at peace with God, He will give you His peace and you will be at peace with yourself . In turn, you will be at peace with others and they will be at peace with you. And, the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ and the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:7,9). That’s when the real meaning of the words “Your kingdom come” in the Lord’s Prayer which Jesus taught His disciples, and His statement “For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17: 21) will come true.

May the following blessing with which the Lord blessed the children of Israel through Aaron be yours now and forever.
“The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace”. (Numbers 6:24-26). Amen.