Your Option is Peace

“I will walk at liberty and at ease.” Psalm 119:45 Amplified

“Problems are unavoidable; God’s peace is available.”

My thoughts today are about “your option is peace.”

Problems are inevitable. The Bible classifies their source as either “tribulation or persecution” (See Matthew 13:20-21 NKJV); the first involves circumstances, things that happen; the latter originates with people, folk who are contrary. Life will never be completely free of problems, but you can live completely free in spite of problems. Do not allow your problem to define who you are, nor confine your expectation to the present reality. When that happens, you become the bigger problem. Problems that are external quickly become internal as well, if you are not careful.

Jesus did not sugar coat the realities of everyday life. “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace; in this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NIV.  The first of those two realities – peace – is a possibility in Christ Jesus; the second of those – trouble – is a certainty in the world. Peace is your option; trouble is not. That’s not what you might want to hear, but that’s exactly what you need to know. Read the verse again slowly to note the emphasis: “you may have peace . . you will have trouble.” You choose peace; you face problems. Problems are unavoidable; God’s peace is available.

The Psalmist wrote, “I will keep Your law continually, forever and ever [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying it]. And I will walk at liberty and at ease, for I have sought and inquired for [and desperately required] Your precepts.” Psalm 119:44-45 Amplified. That’s when and where peace happens, when you know and choose to trust in God’s Word. Free or frustrated; the choice is yours.

When you experience problems, whatever their nature or origin, look first for God’s truth; that’s where you will find your peace. “You (O Lord) will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.” Isaiah 26:3 NLT. Rest securely in that and you will truly “walk at liberty and at peace.”

My prayer for you today is that you will not be without peace, whatever the challenge.