May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. (2 Thessalonians 3:16)
Can you think of a person who has a calming influence in your life? Would you say they give you peace? What would happen if that person moved away or died? Would you lose your peace? It is very easy to find relief from our problems by talking things out with another person. We all know people that are a real pleasure to be around. We feel peaceful in their presence. People naturally gravitate to those people that make them feel good. Friendships can be deeply gratifying. So, what is wrong with finding our peace in people? The answer to that question is, “People are human and will fail you.” No matter how hard they try, people are not perfect and they cannot be there for you all the time. When we look to others to be the source of something only God can give, undue pressure is placed on that relationship. People are a god-given gift, but they are not designed to be the source of our peace.
Where can we find a lasting peace? In God, the perfect source of peace. The peace that we are talking about is best defined as, “The tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God is content with its earthly state, whatever that is.” The apostle Paul tells us that “God gives peace at all times and in every way.” God is the author and giver of peace through the power of the Holy Spirit. He is always available and will never run out of peace. He has all we need. When we look to Him to be our source of peace, we can approach all other relationships with joy and peace. We can ask for their needs to be revealed since our own need has already been met by our faithful God.
Are you dependent on another person for your peace? Maybe it’s your spouse, children, parents, or friends. Have you tried to be someone else’s source of peace? Get rid of the unjust expectations you have of people who simply do not have what you need. Ask yourself, “Do I really believe that peace comes from God?” Trust God today and you will overflow with hope, joy, and His perfect peace.