The God of peace

    These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)
    Jesus had just shared with His disciples about His imminent departure from this life (John 16:1-32). They did not fully understand at times what He was trying to say. Yet, He wanted them to be assured that, in spite of what was coming, they were going to be alright. He had them. 
    The above verse is a verse that gives me a sense of encouragement. I am reminded that as a child of God, His peace is mine. Yes, trouble will come. Jesus Himself rightly said so. Trouble is and will be a part of our walk on this earth. Yet, the assurance is that, in spite of the presence of trouble, we can be at peace because God has overcome it all. 
    Some time before this talk with His disciples, they were on their way to the other side of the lake. Jesus comfortably fell asleep. A storm arose and water began to come into their boat. The disciples became afraid. Yet, while all this was happening, Jesus remained comfortably asleep. They finally woke Him up wondering if He wasn’t concerned that they could drown. But Jesus remained calm and simply rebuked the wind and the sea. I love His words: “Peace, be still.” Jesus spoke peace into that stormy situation, and the wind and the sea obeyed! (Mark 4:35-41)
    Jesus was comfortable during the storm because He is the Prince of Peace. He knew that no storm could stand in His way. Hence the reason He was able to sleep through it so comfortably. His disciples, on the other hand, were terrified. They still did not understand the Power they had on their side. We, too are like the disciples. When challenges come, we become afraid and discouraged. The problem seems so much bigger than us, and it usually is, and we begin to panic. Yet, like the disciples who had the Power and Authority in their boat with them, we have that same Power and Authority living inside of us! I think that, many times, this does not register in our minds and hearts. So, when challenges come, yes, it is so much easier to panic and become afraid.
    Jesus said to His disciples: “Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33b) Imagine, Jesus is saying to us, “Be encouraged,” “Be happy” because I am more than victorious over any situation you may face! The key thing is understanding that we are His. We are actually in the palm of His Hand and nothing or no one can take us out of His hand (John 10:28-30). We are safe. Isaiah 49:16 also says that we are inscribed on the palms of His Hands. God has us covered more than we realise. 
    At the end of the day, God does not always calm the storm in our lives but He gives us peace in the midst of it. Our greatest fear may be the possibility of being destroyed by it, but God knows that will never happen because we are in the palm of His Hand and nothing can pluck us out!
    So, be encouraged today. You can be at peace in the midst of your storm. Unfortunately, it does not mean that it will be less painful, less stressful, less discouraging or even less frightening. Yet, God’s peace can function quite effectively no matter how difficult the challenge or discouraging the situation may seem. I guess that’s why in Philippians 4:7, it is described as a “peace which passes all understanding.” God’s peace is a peace which simply does not make sense to the human understanding.
    If you have not accepted Jesus Christ into your life as your personal Lord and Saviour, I encourage you to do so today. As God’s child, you have the God of peace living inside of you. No matter what He allows to come your way, He knows that it cannot overcome you because He has already overcome it!​

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