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How To Find Peace In God During Difficult Times

How to find peace in God during difficult times

Finding peace in God in a troubled world seems impossible and even silly. It’s too much to ask for, isn’t it? I know what you are thinking, “How can I find peace in God when the world is crumbling down right in front of me, next to me, and besides me” You are right, the world does seem to be crumbling down through every angle that we look. There are tragedies, illnesses, viruses, suicides, mass deaths, divorces, shootings, and other horrific situations happening all around us. The entire world is suffering and hurting. However, in the midst of all of the pain surrounding us (and affecting us, directly or indirectly), there is still HOPE and one true way we can still find peace. So, if you’re ready to discover the only way to peace during difficult times, keep reading. 

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How To Find Peace In God During Difficult Times

UNDERSTANDING PEACE

What is peace?

By definition, peace is a state of tranquility, rest, calmness, and stillness. In other words, peace is the complete opposite of trouble, anguish, conflict and noise. 

The human concept of peace

As humans, our understanding is limited. We have the illusion that having peace is the equivalent of not having problems, having everything we want, being perfectly healthy, and not having enemies. Basically, we understand peace as living a perfect life. Our peace is dependent on circumstances. If things are going well, we “have peace”. However, when things are not going well, we automatically lose our peace.

Which is why, we typically find ourselves without peace during difficult times.

God’s concept of peace

However, unlike us, God does not view peace as the result of a circumstance. God teaches us that true peace does not depend on the circumstances we are in. True peace has nothing to do with what we face and everything to do with how we feel. We don’t feel peace because our life is perfect, we feel peace because we have the source of peace in us and with us during every circumstance and occasion. 

PEACE IN THE BIBLE

Peace in the Bible

The word “peace” is found approximately 500 times in the Bible. As you can see, peace is an important and recurring theme in the Bible. Peace is not just another word, it is a powerful PROMISE. Evidently, God created a perfect world where he intended for everyone to have peace. However, we distanced ourselves from God’s peace by sinning and leaving him to follow our desires.

Ecclesiastes 7:29 says, “God created people to be virtuous, but they have each turned to follow their own downward path.”

A fruit of the spirit – Peace

Peace is not only a promise in the Bible, but interestingly enough, peace is also a fruit of the Spirit. For those who don’t know, there are 9 fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, and peace. Peace is a fruit that God wants us to have. 

“Shalom” – Hebrew salutation of peace

The Hebrew word “Shalom” which is translated to “peace to you” is a common salutation used by the Israelites, since Biblical times. Shalom is used as a greeting and farewell. Every time Israelites salute one another, they are blessing each other with peace. Which shows us that even a simple salutation has been centered around peace.

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THE MEANING OF TRUE PEACE

The peace of God

God has promised us peace that goes beyond all understanding.

Philippians (4)7 says, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (NKJV)

Having peace in the midst of difficulties, adversities, storms, and even illnesses – that is the Peace of God. A peace that does not depend on circumstances, but on the creator of it, God. The peace of God is hard to understand and grasp in our human nature because it simply surpasses our understanding.

In Philippians 4:7, God makes three key points. 

  1. The peace of God surpasses all understanding – it’s hard to understand.
  2. God’s peace guards our hearts and minds – we have peace in both our heart and mind.
  3. The peace of God is Jesus – we can only find peace in Jesus.

The Prince of Peace – Jesus

It’s not a mere coincidence that Jesus is referred to as the “Prince of peace” throughout the Bible. Jesus is the Prince of Peace, the source of peace, and the only way to peace. The only way the world is able to find true and infinite peace is through Jesus. 

In John 14:27, 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.” (NKJV)

Temporary peace vs everlasting peace

The peace the world offers is temporary, limited and finite. Like I mentioned earlier, the peace the world offers is dependent only on our circumstances. Let’s take money as an example. Money brings you some kind of financial peace and stability, correct? You may feel peace when you are able to use your money to obtain things. However, money loses it’s value when you are caught in a difficult situation (illness, tragedy, loss of a loved one, etc) where money can not provide a solution, worst peace. 

When we depend on the peace that the world offers, the moment we lose, we suffer, or we fail, our peace is gone. However, God has given us everlasting peace through the Prince of Peace, Jesus. Jesus does not depend on our circumstances. He is above our circumstances. Which is why, we can find peace in him, even in the midst of storms. Jesus is the true peace that surpasses all understanding. 

BIBLICAL EXAMPLE OF PEACE

One of the best examples I can find in the Bible of a human receiving peace from God during difficult times is Gideon. Gideon may not be a very popular character like David or Moses, but his story leaves us a huge lesson. 

Gideon’s background story:

In the times of Gideon, the Israelites were being oppressed by the Midianites. Take a moment to read the passage below to understand what was going on. 

JUDGES 6: 2-6

  • 2 and the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel. Because of the Midianites, the children of Israel made for themselves the dens, the caves, and the strongholds which are in the mountains. 
  • 3 So it was, whenever Israel had sown, Midianites would come up; also Amalekites and the people of the East would come up against them. 
  • 4 Then they would encamp against them and destroy the produce of the earth as far as Gaza, and leave no sustenance for Israel, neither sheep nor ox nor donkey. 
  • 5 For they would come up with their livestock and their tents, coming in as numerous as locusts; both they and their camels were  without number; and they would enter the land to destroy it. 
  • 6 So Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites, and the children of Israel cried out to the Lord.

After the people cried to God for help, he chose and called a man named Gideon to be the one to liberate the Israelites from the Midianites and also lead them to victory. 

GIDEON BEFORE HIS CALLING: 

  • A member of an unimportant and poor family.
  • Belonged to the weakest tribe of Israel.
  • Ranked the least in his fathers house.
  • A man weak in faith – not only did he question God, but he needed God to show him 3 signs in order for him to believe, trust and obey him.  

When God called Gideon, Gideon did not automatically accept his calling or mission. He expressed his weaknesses, his fear, and his doubt to God. Pretty relatable, huh? Gideon did not pretend to be strong. He expressed fear and worry to God. How could a weak man with so little faith defeat an army of powerful Midianites? What was God thinking? 

God’s promise to Gideon

After all of Gideon’s questions, requests of signs, and doubts, God made a powerful promise to him:

“Peace be to you. Do not fear; you shall not die.”

  1. God gave him PEACE
  2. God removed his fear
  3. And God promised him LIFE

Although Gideon seemed to be the most unfit character to lead Israel to victory against such a strong army of enemies, God chose to turn Gideon into a leader. God chose the weakest vessel to showcase his mighty power. He trusted Gideon with a mission of this magnitude, because he knew that it wasn’t Gideon who was going to fight in the war, but it was God who was going to give the Israelites victory through Gideon.

And Gideon, although he was weak in faith, he chose to believe God’s promise. 

As a result, Gideon was able to find peace during this difficult time, find strength to go to battle to defeat his enemies, bring Israel a victory, and lastly build an altar to the Lord and called it, “The Lord is Peace!”

In the end, Gideon was able to firmly state and recognize that GOD is peace.

GIDEON AFTER GOD’S CALLING:

  • A successful military leader who saved the Israelites from the Midianites.
  • A prophet and a judge in Israel.
  • Recognized as a hero of faith in Hebrews 11 along with other faith heroes.

God changed Gideon’s life by taking a moment of trial and turning it into a victory.

HOW TO FIND PEACE IN GOD THROUGH CHRIST

Peace through Christ

In conclusion, there isn’t peace apart from God. The only way we can truly find peace is through Jesus. The example of Gideon teaches us that we don’t need to be mighty strong, have it all figured out, or even have all the faith in the world to defeat our enemies (enemy of anxiety, fear, illness, addiction, coronavirus, etc), we just have to believe in Jesus. We can’t possibly defeat our enemies on our own, but Jesus can. 

How to find peace in God

  1. Run to the source of Peace: Jesus
  2. Believe in the Prince of Peace: Jesus
  3. Trust in the only Way to Peace: Jesus

Accepting God’s peace

God is telling you this very day, “Peace be to you, Do not fear; you shall not die.” What are you going to do? Are you going to believe him like Gideon did and let God do mighty works in your life? Or are you going to let your enemies defeat you? No, don’t do that. God has bigger plans for you. Open your heart to Jesus today and give him all of your anxiety, fear, and problems in exchange for his PEACE. 

If you’re going through a hard time, check out this post for 30 encouraging bible verses for difficult times!

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FINAL THOUGHTS

There is nothing more precious than having the peace of God in your heart. From the bottom of my heart, I hope you can also experience this everlasting and unexplainable peace that surpasses all understanding. 

Until next time,

Gabby Abigail

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