Advent Series: Peace

By Mayra Richards, Founder of Remain Connected Counseling

Isaiah 26:3 "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you."

This word brings so much comfort to me this year. As I was praying for our third, the Lord spoke to me very clearly about the middle name meaning Peace. It is also the word that God promised over me right after my mom passed away. When you search the definition for peace, it states that it is a sense of tranquility, stress free that comes when there is no fighting or war. That kind of peace is hard to fathom because we live in a world that is constantly fighting about something. Should we get vaccinated or not? Who is wrong for voting for who? Is the weather cold enough to be considered Fall? It is quite exhausting to see and hear people get angry for not being able to control someone or something.

There are many times when peace seems so distant because to live in a world without war feels so distant. But then I am reminded of God’s promise of peace. And I can hardly contain my gratitude, “Thank you God for promising us more than the peace of this world!” The promise of peace in Christ is one that even when hard things happen, we can still attain a state of peace through Him. In the middle of every war, we can find peace by knowing that we are not alone and Jesus is fighting with us and for us. How do we attain this unexplainable peace?  We must put our mind, hearts, and souls on Him. When we shift our thoughts, our emotions, and our souls to solely rely on Jesus, then we can have His peace which transcends all understanding because it will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7).

During this season, what takes us away from peace is the expectation that things must go a certain way. Like we have to get the toy our kids want so they won’t be disappointed, we have to go see every relative so they won’t be mad at us, we have to participate in all the Christmas events and white elephants and gift exchanges. We fill our minds with pressure and have-to's that we often forget that Advent is the time to reflect back on the day of the birth of Jesus and what that means.

No one will remember all the things you got to do in this season or how busy you were, but you will know the difference because if your focus was on the hustle and bustle, you will enter the new year depleted or if your focus was on Jesus you will feel hope restored and peace to keep going.

The promise of John 14:27 still stands true today, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you.” He has already left us peace; will we come to Him with open hearts to receive it? “I do not give to you as the world gives.” His peace is not of this world and he will not take away His peace from us. It is not dependent on circumstances. “Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” Even in the darkest of times, we can choose peace instead of worry or fear. We can set our minds on the promise of His everlasting love.

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