Isaiah 26:3

“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”–Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV)

Peace must be a big deal to God since it’s mentioned over 400 times in the Bible. It’s a big deal to us, too. But doesn’t life seem to come pre-charged with stress, anxiety, and angst? With the economy, health issues, our society’s moral decay, and [insert your personal junk here], you’d think we’d be walking around with Valium IV-drips.

Yet the Lord includes peace right along with love, joy, and six other qualities in the fruit of the spirit role call (Galatians 5:22). Jesus Himself was fond of saying, “Go in peace” and “Peace be unto you.” And most of the epistles seem to have some variation of “Grace and peace be unto you . . .” You can look it up.

On that extraordinary night when heaven broke open and angels filled the sky proclaiming the birth of our Savior, I imagine they could have declared all sorts of amazing things about Jesus, the King of the Universe. What they said was, “Peace on earth . . .” Peace. Must be important stuff.  In fact, it’s a key ingredient of His Kingdom, right along with righteousness and joy (Romans 14:17).

Plenty of verses tell us not to worry. Even children know the story about the beautiful clothes of the lilies of the field and how God cares for us more than He cares for them. We know all about casting our cares on the Lord. Easier said than done, right? Jesus is frank about this world and its fallen state. He never says following Him is easy. He never says everything will be peachy-keen after casting our cares on Him. “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” (Matthew 6:34 NLT) “I’ve told you all this so that trusting Me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.” (John 16:33 MSG)

Yet worry is a tough foe. Our minds are vigilant in toying with problems. It’s like trying not to scratch an itch. That itch will drive you crazy until you scratch it—but it keeps on itching. So you keep on scratching . . . and itching . . . And you have no peace.

What’s the answer? Our minds. Someone said you can’t control what thoughts come into your mind, but you can decide whether to dance with them. I once defeated depression by refusing to dwell on certain thoughts and deciding instead to reflect on scripture and sing praise songs. That’s all it took to chase away depression (for me). I just said, “No, I’m not going to think about that. I’m going to think about this . . . “ And turned my thoughts—guess where!  To . . . “whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely . . .” (Philippians 4:8)

Sure, it takes discipline. But if we ask for help from the Holy Spirit, we get it. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. It’s a promise in Philippians 4:7.

I believe worry is one of Satan’s tools. Isn’t it a form of torment? Our minds go in circles. We hold imaginary conversations, envision plausible and implausible scenarios—and all in vain. It doesn’t accomplish a thing. The majority of what we worry about never happens. We expend energy, sleep, emotion for nothing. Accomplish zero. My theory? I believe worry is torment because the Lord doesn’t give us grace to go through things (all this stuff we’re imagining) that haven’t happened. When the day comes, He’ll be there. And so will His grace.

Yes, let there be peace on earth. And let it begin in me. Thank You, Jesus, for being our Prince of Peace . . . “having made peace through the blood of His cross.” (Colossians 20)