Finding Inner Peace
Think of the last vacation trip you took? It was hopefully to a destination where you could unplug for a few days, resting, relaxing, recharging. While away, did the pace of life slow down? Could you step away from the crap of life and simply be peaceful in the moment? Were you able to find moments of calmness, moments of quiet, moments of contentment, full well knowing that the world around you was still very chaotic? For my wife and I, that place is anywhere near the beach and ocean.
I write regularly about inner peace. In a world that spins faster and faster, seemingly spinning out of control. Let’s be honest – it is difficult to find and keep any kind of peace, let alone inner peace. Let me define what I mean by those two terms. Peace being a lack of conflict whereas inner peace is a state of feeling content, having a calm spirit, even amid turmoil. I will go so far as to say I do not think we can experience (outer) peace unless we first have inner peace.
There are endless suggestions and methods in the marketplace for us to find peace of mind, peace of soul. The marketers of this kind of “inner” peace point to oneself as being the source of this peace. They say, “Look within to find all you need.” Of course, in addition to buying their book, taking their seminar, listening to their podcast.
Without a doubt, there is value in each of us tending to our own souls, caring for ourselves, finding peacefulness within us. But, in my opinion, self-help is inherently flawed. It looks to “self” for help, when in fact we cannot permanently “help” ourselves, outside of God. We cannot find true inner peace apart from God. The apostle Paul calls God “the God of peace” (Romans 15:33). Jesus is called the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). Peace is one of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22).
In the parting words to his disciples, known as the Farewell Discourse (John Chapters 14-17), Jesus alluded to this different kind of God-given inner peace – “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27). Inner peace is heart, mind, and spirit, collectively all at rest (calm, content), not dependent on external surroundings or circumstances.
In a story found in three of the four gospels (Matthew 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-41, Luke 8:22-25, Jesus models inner peace for us. He and his disciples were on the lake heading to the other side when a fierce storm came upon them. The men were terrified but they found Jesus sound asleep, blissfully peaceful, despite the dangerous storm swirling around them. In their fear, the disciples woke Jesus, crying out (probably with some anger in their voices) – “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing” (Mark 4:38). What did Jesus do next? Did He panic along with them? No. The One who is in control over all circumstances made the wind and lake perfectly calm. He then questioned the faith of the disciples.
Dr. Lloyd John Ogilvie, Chaplain of the United States Senate from 1995-2003, put it this way, “Sometimes the Lord rides out the storm with us and other times He calms the restless sea around us. Most of all, He calms the storm inside us in our deepest inner soul.”
Jesus wants to give you the same inner peace that kept Him calm in the storm. Do you trust He is in control? Do you have that kind of faith?
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