Peace stealers

October 2, 2006

By William E. Richardson

“Let the peace of God rule in your hearts” (Colossians 3:15, NKJV).

Many things can rob you of your sense of peace, if you let them. Consider three of these peace stealers.

Conflict: Life is rarely conflict-free. Like your birthday and the changing seasons, conflict keeps coming around. Only, more often. Conflict springs from many sources — family, finances, the weather, work, your neighbors.

Regardless of the source, conflict is something you must determine how to deal with, then keep going. If you let them, any of the conflict possibilities on any day can distract you from your sense of God’s purpose for your life. Conflict can steal your peace — if you let it.

Confusion: Ever feel like you are walking in a fog? You aren’t sure which is the safest direction to turn.

A man was facing a lot of problems and unsure what to do. A friend told him, “You’ve got two good hands. Why don’t you do something?”

“I am doing something,” he answered. “I’m wringing them.”

Anytime you feel lost, unsure what to do, it is always right to seek God’s help. Cling to God’s peace as your compass through life’s fog.

Crisis: Crisis presses your life beyond the typical challenges with the unexpected and catastrophic. Like losing your job. Like getting a shocking doctor’s report. Like hearing the phone ring in the middle of the night and learning a loved one is gone.

It’s tempting to panic in a crisis. You may feel an emotional stranglehold. But even in crisis, you do not have to let go of peace. When the initial punch to your stomach wears off, peace from God is there ready to guide you.

Jesus promised to help you in your conflict, confusion and times of crisis. He said in John 16:33, “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” (NKJV).

Jesus is always with you. Stay close to Him and you’ll keep your sense of peace, come what may. In fact, the only way anything can steal your God-given peace, even in your worst of times, is for you to surrender it.

William E. Richardson is senior pastor of Afton (Iowa) Assembly of God.