Peace

Life has its share of difficulty. One day the sun is shining, the next, rain is all around us. We can all recall moments and seasons within our lives that were hard. Maybe you find yourself in that season right now. Those circumstances almost took us out completely. We have lost loved ones, received a traumatic diagnosis, went through a nasty divorce, never knew a parent...the list  goes on.

John 16:33 says, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."  

The first part of that scripture reads so that in me. Who is "me"? Jesus. How many times do we attempt to find inner peace in material possessions or even distract ourselves with fun activities? But when the money's all spent and the party's over, peace is nowhere to be found. We go back to our circumstance the same way we did before. John 15:4 says, "Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me." Our scripture in John 16:33 continues to say, "...so that in me you may have peace."

Peace comes from remaining in Jesus.

The scripture also says "In this world you will have trouble". Peace is not the absence of pain, it's a gift that allows us to take heart, to gain courage, in knowing that Jesus has overcome the world (which includes our current circumstance).

Our pain does not outweigh His presence nor His being.

Take heart, because Jesus has overcome the world. You will have difficulty in this life, as I am sure you all have already come to know. Even so, remain in Jesus. He will give you peace regardless of the circumstance.

There's such a beautiful line in the song this week that says "When the whole wide world is crashing down, I fall to my knees and breathe in Your peace."

So today, when you choose Jesus, peace is the fruit in which you can bear.

Take heart. Breathe. Jesus has overcome the world.