What Is Peace?

From Advent: A 25 Day Countdown to Christmas on YouVersion

What do you think of or imagine when you hear the word “peace”? Maybe you imagine your favorite vacation destination, when the rest of the world seems to come to a standstill. Perhaps your brain takes you to the resolution of a previously chaotic event. It’s possible you even think of a time when you had inner peace, when anxiety or worries seemed to quiet down.

Writers of the Bible sometimes use the word shalom as a way of describing peace as complete wholeness. At its core, peace is a state of wholeness, calm, and renewal between us, God, and others.

This can seem great in theory, but has the potential to feel unattainable when we look at the world around us—especially in the rush of the holiday season. Still, when we look at different stories in the Bible, we can see how God has been our source of peace since the beginning of time.

We’ll take a closer look at different examples in the days to come, but here are a few things we learn about peace as we read Scripture:

Peace comes when we keep our perspectives locked on God.

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock. – Isaiah 26:3-4 ESV

Peace fights against fear.

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me? – Psalm 56:3-4 ESV

Peace is a gift God gives us through the Holy Spirit.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, – Galatians 5:22 ESV

Peace isn’t limited to the circumstances happening in the world around us.

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33 ESV

Peace doesn’t always make sense, but it always connects us to God.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:4-7 ESV

As you look at your life today, peace might feel impossible. It takes a lifetime to work toward peace, but we all have a step we can take today to more fully experience this gift. You might take a few minutes after you finish today’s reading to sit in God’s presence and thank Him for today. As you do, ask Him to fill you with His perfect peace.

Pause and Pray:

God, thank You for the gift of peace. Help me to experience You in new ways. I trust that You are my ultimate source of peace, even when I don’t understand. Please work in the areas and relationships in my life that feel far from peaceful. Bring them into a state of wholeness and renewal with You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Reflect or Discuss:

Is there an area of your life that needs more wholeness, calm, or renewal? How can you bring that to God today?