Fortress of Peace 

My absolute favourite book in the Bible is Philippians. Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi is filled with rejoicing over God’s goodness, encouragement for the church, and useful instructions. Tucked in towards the end of the letter lie some of the most highlighted verses in Bibles.

The English language sometimes falls a little bit flat when we look for definitions in a biblical context. Peace is simply defined as ‘freedom from disturbance’ but Paul meant so much more when he promised us this peace. The Hebrew word for peace is ‘shalom’ which, as well as meaning freedom from disturbance, also includes notions of totality, completeness, success, fulfillment, wholeness, harmony, security, and well-being.   

This is not a peace we can gain through human achievement, but a gift from above. In John 14:27, Jesus tells his disciples, ‘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.’ Jesus has given us his own peace, something the world cannot give us. The same peace that kept Jesus asleep in the middle of a storm and the same peace he had when he was arrested in the garden of Gethsemane. The same peace that kept his heart soft and thoughts clear can be our peace too.  

How do we get this peace? By praying in everything and laying down all of our worries and anxious thoughts before God and choosing to remain full of gratitude while we do so. By deciding to trust that God is taking care of our circumstances no matter how chaotic life may seem. As we do our part, God will do his part by bestowing his peace upon us.

So, we can rest assured that no matter the circumstance, no matter the delay or failure, diagnosis or battle, pandemic or lockdown, if we present our requests to God through prayer and with thanksgiving, He will surround our hearts and minds with a fortress of his very own peace.