The Bible tells us that the peace that comes from God surpasses all understanding. We know this to mean that as Christians our faith in God allows us to face any situation while still living in peace. But what does that really look like? How does God’s peace truly affect the life of a believer? Thankfully the Bible shows us just that within its pages. While also helping us to understand just how we can experience that very same peace.
Philippians 4:7 (ESV)
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
There is a false doctrine circulating in our world today that says such peace comes from the blessings of God. This is an idea that is contrary to the word of God. Only leading poor souls further away from God when things don’t go as they hoped. It is a false doctrine that wins souls because it is pleasing to the ear. When the actual truth of the scripture may not be what you want to hear.
2 Timothy 4:3–4 (ESV)
3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.
You see the peace of God in itself is the blessing, not the circumstances you live in. The Bible is clear that even for, if not especially for, believers life is going to be tough. You will face challenges, struggles, hurt, and pain living in our fallen world. Yet, miraculously through faith Christians are able to face all such things with a peace that surpasses all understanding. The Bible tells us that we don’t need to live a perfect life to live in peace. Instead, our whole life can be falling apart around us yet we can be at peace through our God.
2 Timothy 3:12 (ESV)
12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
1 Peter 4:12 (ESV)
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
John 16:1–2 (ESV)
1 “I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. 2 They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God.
The Apostle Peter lived in such peace. While imprisoned and facing death the next morning he still had the peace to sleep soundly through the night. That is peace many cannot even begin to imagine. As so many are unable to find the peace to sleep soundly on a normal night. Let alone a night in which you know the next day you will be murdered. Yet that is just the kind of peace that God is able to provide for each and every believer.
Acts 12:2–6 (ESV)
2 He killed James the brother of John with the sword, 3 and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. 4 And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. 5 So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.
6 Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison.
The Apostle Paul was at peace in any and every situation he found himself in as well. While still bleeding from the whip and chained in a jail cell Paul was at peace enough to still sing praises to the Lord. Later he would even walk towards impending danger completely at peace with the situation. Not fearing what laid ahead but simply okay with whatever would come as he followed the leading of the Lord.
Acts 16:23–25 (ESV)
23 And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely. 24 Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.
25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them,
Acts 20:22–25 (ESV)
22 And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. 24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. 25 And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again.
The peace that surpasses all understanding says death where is your sting. It takes all the worry and fears away from the biggest concern people have on earth. No longer is death feared because God’s peace extends into eternity. Instead, we struggle as Paul did not know what is better to live and share the Gospel. Or to die and be at home with the Lord. Because we have true peace with either option.
1 Corinthians 15:55 (ESV)
55 “O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”
Philippians 1:21–23 (ESV)
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.
This peace that comes from God does not just affect our views on pain, suffering, and death though. It extends into every aspect of our lives. Contentment is nothing more than being at peace with what you have. God’s peace allows us to experience true contentment. Whether we have nothing or everything, we are at peace because we have God. The Old Testament prophets shared in the peace of God as well. They wrote of their peace in any situation, even those in which nothing was going right.
Hebrews 13:5 (ESV)
5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
1 Timothy 6:6 (ESV)
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain,
Philippians 4:11–13 (ESV)
11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Habakkuk 3:17–19 (ESV)
17 Though the fig tree should not blossom,
nor fruit be on the vines,
the produce of the olive fail
and the fields yield no food,
the flock be cut off from the fold
and there be no herd in the stalls,
18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord;
I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
19 God, the Lord, is my strength;
he makes my feet like the deer’s;
he makes me tread on my high places.
To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments.
Lamentations 3:19–24 (ESV)
19 Remember my affliction and my wanderings,
the wormwood and the gall!
20 My soul continually remembers it
and is bowed down within me.
21 But this I call to mind,
and therefore I have hope:
22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
23 they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“therefore I will hope in him.”
It is clear both through the teaching of scripture and the accounts of the early church that God offers His people peace that surpasses all understanding. But how do we obtain that peace? What must we do to fully experience the peace that we can so clearly see God is willing to give to those who believe? We must do what those before us did and place all our trust in the Lord.
Simply acknowledging God does not allow his peace to enter our lives. If we still place our trust in ourselves, people, money, possessions, health, employers, governments, and so on then we will never experience the peace that surpasses all understanding. Instead fear, worry, and anxiety will enter our lives every time one of these starts to change or fail. Instead, we must take our faith and trust out of the things of this world and place it in the One who never changes. The one who loves and cares for us. Who can satisfy all our needs?
Hebrews 13:8 (ESV)
8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Proverbs 3:5 (ESV)
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
1 Timothy 6:17 (ESV)
17 As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.
Philippians 4:18 (ESV)
18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.
The peace that surpasses all understanding comes from our trust in God and His promises. Peace is experienced in sickness and death because we know what lies ahead. Suffering in this life cannot sway us because we know it will not compare to the glory of heaven. Not only that but we know that God works all things for the good of those who believe. Using even what is bad to accomplish what is best.
John 3:16–17 (ESV)
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Revelation 21:4 (ESV)
4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
Romans 8:18 (ESV)
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
Romans 8:28 (ESV)
28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
When we fully trust in God we have nothing to fear and His peace begins to flow into our lives. Allowing us to walk through things that once would have crushed us. doing so with an attitude that we ourselves can’t even understand. Somehow even when the clouds are their darkest and the winds are betting against us the light within us from God empowers us to stand tall in joy and peace. Jesus supply’s us with peace. The peace that comes through giving our lives to Him in salvation and fully trusting in Him no matter the situation.
John 14:27 (ESV)
27 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 16:33 (ESV)
33 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.”
Does this mean that as a Christian you should never experience fear or worry? No, because we are all too human and these things will at times spike up in our lives. But part of receiving God’s peace is how you respond to worry and fear. Don’t allow it to control you as it did before you knew God. Instead, turn to prayer and follow the teaching of scripture. Give those things that cause you to worry to God. Back to the key of having peace here, trust the Lord to take care of those things for you. Knowing that God hears your prayers and will answer them.
1 Peter 5:7 (ESV)
7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
Philippians 4:6–7 (ESV)
6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
1 John 5:14–15 (ESV)
14 And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.
The peace that surpasses all understanding is evident in one’s life. It shows itself in how we weather the storm, face obstacles, and even view life’s hardest moments. Does your life show evidence of God’s peace? Are you able to walk through any of life’s tough situations putting aside worry and fear? If not, make sure your trust is in God alone and not the things of this world. Give what is causing you grief to God and allow Him to move in your life.
God’s peace is available to all those who place their faith in Him. Don’t continue to walk through life without it but start seeking it today. God is more than willing to fill you with His peace if you will only place all your trust in Him.
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