The Peace of God

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4-7

Charles Spurgeon. Martin Luther. John Wesley. Prominent names of Christendom, yet not without great personal struggles.

Spurgeon, known for his compelling sermons at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, battled recurring seasons of depression throughout his splendid ministry.

Luther, whose emphasis on justification by faith alone shattered centuries of false ideology, struggled with numerous physical afflictions.

Wesley, whose preaching filled the towns and villages of colonial America, endured a difficult marriage that created and unstable family life at best.

Their legacies, however, are noble and their achievements memorable. Despite their problems, the peace of God was rooted deep in their spirits, serving as both rudder and stabilizer for their ministry and lives.

It is perfectly normal to have your cage rattled by strained relationships, financial tremors, or emotional surges. Jesus told us to expect such predicaments. But because you have Christ, you have unshakable peace in your innermost being. You can wade through dilemmas without yielding to irrational fears or anxiety. Keep Him at the center of your life and you will reflect the peace of Christ.