Can We Have Peace in the Midst of a Storm (Part 1 of 3)

As I began to write this down, I realized that it would be too long in its written form for one reading. So, I have separated it into 3 parts. Part 1 explains what peace should look like. Part 2 explores the purpose and importance of the storms in our life. Part 3 examines the Bible for insight into how to find that peace. I hope you enjoy (and are able to find peace).

“I know growth is a process and that rapid growth comes with great pains. I just pray that God will grant me endurance. I hate being so emotional, almost schizophrenic in my dealings with our situation; one day I am at peace, the next I am in pieces.”
-July 19, 2005

As I began to examine the question of whether or not we can have peace during a storm of life, I realized that I didn’t have a clear understanding of what peace should look like. How can I find a path to peace if I if I don’t really know what I am looking for? So I decided to first get a clear picture of peace and then continue my search from there.

I consulted the American Heritage Dictionary to get a basic definition of peace. This dictionary tells us that there are essentially two types of peace; I’ll call them interpersonal peace and internal peace. Or, in the dictionary’s words, “freedom from quarrels and disagreement; harmonious relations” and “inner contentment; serenity.” Peace should include inner contentment and serenity, but those descriptions seemed lacking to me, passive, and somewhat empty. So I consulted the Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary and I found something richer.

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The HIBD describes peace as “a condition or sense of harmony, well-being and prosperity. The biblical concept means more than the absence of hostility, and it is more than a psychological state. The Hebrew word shalom and its derivatives were not a negative or passive concept but involved wholeness and completeness.” Hebrew peace is full and active. The peace that God desires us to have does not involve resigning yourself to your miserable circumstances. God’s peace brings life into your situation. “In Him was life, and that life was the light of men.” (John 1:4)

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Perhaps the Godly nature of peace between people better illustrates this principle. The HIBD further defines peace as “[referring] to completing or repairing a relationship. A bilateral ‘treaty of peace’ would mean that both parties promised to refrain from hostilities against the other and furthermore [to]… seek the other’s welfare.” Where human peace stops, Godly peace moves on. It is not acceptable to simply eliminate strife and misery, His peace promotes health and happiness.

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So what should a Christian look for as he or she searches for peace? The HIBD says, “God’s ‘covenant of peace’ with His people would involve the assurance of an enduring relationship with the One who is our peace and a pledge to protect their welfare and to abundantly bless them by His divine grace, wisdom, and power.” Do you have a sense of harmony, well-being and prosperity? Do you feel whole and complete? Do you feel safe and abundantly blessed?

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If you answered “no” to any of these, then please continue on with me to the conclusion of this search. God offers this kind of peace to us: to me and to you. Anyone who enters into the covenant relationship offered by Jesus can have this, for as Jesus says in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful.” Jesus would not command us saying, “Your heart must not be troubled or fearful,” if such a thing were not possible. You can have this peace He offers, yes, even in the storms. For it is in the storms of life that your heart would most likely be troubled and fearful, and it is there in the storms that we most need His peace.