In her phenomenal devotional, Gracelaced, Ruth Chou Simons says, 

“We find that He (Jesus) gives lasting peace that He not only secures but sustains.  Jesus told us that it would be unlike anything else disguised as peace from any other source: ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid’ (John 14:27, ESV).” (pp. 197-98)

The peace Jesus gives is completely different than the peace which the World offers.

Whole industries promise to give you a “state of tranquility,” “freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions,” and “harmony in personal relations” (Merriam Webster Dictionary).  Everywhere you look, there are offers of peace: read this book, buy this item, use this essential oil, adopt this meditation plan.

A brief internet search reveals “15 Tips to Calm My Mind”, or “One Quick Trick to Stop the Inner Buzz.” (I just made those titles up, though they may exist somewhere, but if so it’s purely coincidence.)  Yet, though what they offer is enticing enough to chase with the whole of your life, their “peace” is far outweighed by Jesus.

The peace Jesus gives can co-exist with an on-fire nervous system dialed-up to 10.  It continues on when conflict consumes our closest relationships.  And is not destroyed by our anxieties and worries.  His peace does not depend on your mind-body regulation skills or scripture based calming techniques.

True peace is a person offering a relationship.

The ancient Greeks, like us, considered peace to be the absence of conflict, “but for the Hebrews it means positive blessing, especially a right relationship with God” {1}.  Our Savior offers us peace in Himself, though He recognizes that in our life on this earth, our circumstances will usually be anything but peaceful.

Jesus gives us peace coupled with the gift of the Holy Spirit (John 14: 26).  We are “sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1:13b-14, ESV).  Our final inheritance is blissful fellowship with God, from which an experience of tranquility, quiet, emotional freedom, and harmony will flow.

But today, your relationship with God does not change no matter how much or how long your nervous system buzzes.  Your standing before God does not shift when you are trauma-triggered.  God does not love you less on days you parent poorly or fail at your job.  We are not less because we do not feel internally “peaceful.” 

The peace we have walks with us through the joys and agonies of life.  He doesn’t always take away the pain or make life work out.  Instead, He holds our hand when we feel like we’re drowning.  He gives us supernatural grace when we just cannot anymore.  He breathes God’s truth in our ear when we need hope.  Our peace is ever-present and never leaving.  He will never leave or forsake you!

Ruth Chu Simons again reminds us, 

 “What assurance we can have in knowing that we’re not responsible to keep ourselves at peace through just the right combination of skill and strategy” (Gracelaced, p. 198). 

“Skill and strategy” – How much time have you spent absorbing the wisdom of the internet, looking for ways to conquer pain or inner turmoil? 

We can so easily look to diet, exercise, nutrition, supplements, counseling, or even devotional plans to be THE answer and our primary source of life. (Now, I am not saying those things aren’t important – we are called to care for our bodies wisely.)

Yet, the goal of life cannot be the internal feeling of peace.  Look to Jesus to be the peace you desperately need, when the peace you want is out of reach.  Cling to Him even when He feels far away and your body can’t feel anything but pain or buzzing.