Do We Look for Peace In All the Wrong Places?

There is a lot of discord around life when you take a good look. We know it implicitly when we struggle to find balance, then when we all of a sudden get a free moment we either waste it in front of the box or we strive onto something else to keep us busy. We don’t seem to know how to genuinely relax and achieve peace.

For me, it’s writing that I run to, often when it would be better to take that moment or two to reflect and do what I advise below. For some others, it’s the drink they run to, or a drug, or something to eat, or even a ‘facebook fix.’ For most of us, we have a crutch with which to lean on. It’s not healthy from a spiritual viewpoint.

There’s so much we can gain from looking in the only right place for genuine peace and internal reconciliation. It’s the Holy Spirit that lives within us--for the redeemed, born-from-the-Spirit believer. Only in him do we find true peace, though even then we need to practice this Presence to draw maximum value from him.

James reinforces this point, from the direction of spiritual warfare from the Devil, “Come near to God and he will come near to you” –James 4:8a (TNIV). Again, the Old Testament minor prophet Habakkuk, speaking of end times, also said, “If it seems to tarry, wait for it; it will surely come, it will not delay” –Habakkuk 2:3b (NRSV). God always comes to assist us in our diligent search for peace. He is entirely faithful, calling us to peace within ourselves (1 Thessalonians 5:24).

Finally, it is God who says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth” –Psalm 46:10 (TNIV). He is the Source; the only One.

There is a smooth cleanness and quietness to this peace of God. It feels uncomfortable and shallow at first, yet it mostly hasn’t arrived. Wait for it--it will surely come. It requires faith, at times beyond what we’re prepared to invest.

Be there. Be silent. He will come.

Copyright © 2009, S. J. Wickham. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.