“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27)

As scripture teaches, God’s peace differs from the world’s peace. Have you ever thought about what that difference is?

Governments can seek and promise peace to those who follow them, support them, and put them in power. They promise safety, provision, and security in many ways that are impossible to carry out as fully as they claim.

Men and women can promise peace in relationships, local and national government, law, education, and religion. But each one depends on multiple world definitions of peace.

But what about God’s Peace? Its very core is the peace between God and Man. That is why Jesus is called the Prince of Peace. He brings that restoration of relationships between God and man. He brings God’s Peace.

God tells us not to let our hearts be troubled. He tells us not to be afraid. But how can anyone in this world not experience those things? They are evidence of the lack of peace despite all the world’s peace promises we receive.

That is why Jesus needed to provide us a way to reconcile with God. To live in His Peace, and if we abide in God, we can truly be without troubled hearts as we trust Him. Even in this scary world, we can live without overpowering fear because we know and trust God’s promises and how our lives will end in His loving presence. We have God’s Peace.

Don’t confuse a troubled heart with consistent experiences with trouble. A troubled heart is one without hope, trust, and the knowledge of being powerfully loved without end. We have that hope, trust, and love in a relationship with God.

Don’t confuse fear with living in fear. Fear is a normal emotion. One that can be a way to protect. But dwelling in the clutches of fear is living in doubt, mistrust, insecurity, and helplessness. In God, despite the emotion of fear, our love for and our faith in God rises above the emotion of fear as God’s Spirit gives us strength to have faith in the promises of God. And live a life of peace.

So, we choose. A life with Peace made possible through the Prince of Peace. Or a life without peace. It’s why Jesus came, to offer that gift. Will you accept it?