In John chapter 14 Jesus spoke:
25 “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you.
26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
28 You have heard Me say to you, ‘I am going away and coming back to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, ‘I am going to the Father,’ for My Father is greater than I.
Jesus explicitly tells us that it is up to each of us to receive His peace and to cease being troubled and/or afraid. It is our responsibility to no longer defer our rest because of fear, uncertainty, and doubt. How long will we delay our rest by failing to heed the directive spoken to us by Jesus? We are not to be moved by any of the troubles directed at us by the enemy but we are to keep our focus on FATHER’S peace which surpasses understanding. Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in Philippians chapter 4:
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
We must stand on these passages until peace replaces the turmoil in our minds caused from the challenges we each face daily. We need to quit worrying and start exercising our faith IN HIM because worrying will not change a thing in our lives other than have a negative effect on our bodies. By what authority does Jesus make this directive? In Matthew 28 Jesus provides the answer:
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth”.
In Luke chapter 10 Jesus provides a contrast in being troubles versus being at peace:
38 Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house.
39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word.
40 But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.”
41 And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.
42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
As we hear and respond to the Words of Jesus we too have chosen the “good part” which cannot be taken away from us and we will walk in peace. Let us not become so busy that we lose our peace and become troubled in our hearts. We should purpose to sow the seeds of peace in our hearts and allow FATHER to bring forth a harvest of peace. If we are constantly allowing our hearts to be troubled then we will distance ourselves from HIS peace. Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in Galatians chapter 6:
7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.
9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart (give up).
Are you constantly being attacked? Stand fast and allow the peace to come… and it will. As we sow peace we will reap peace but we must let patience have its perfect work because ultimately our response determines success or failure. When we are at peace, FATHER comes to our aid. When we are in turmoil, we have taken on the care that is plaguing us. In Matthew chapter 6 Jesus spoke:
25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?
27 “Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?”
And His directive to us:
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Peace and trust IN HIM go hand in hand. The more we trust FATHER by truly knowing HIM, the more peace we will have in our lives. The more we know of HIS unconditional Love, the less troubled we will be when challenges come our way. FATHER wants us to be well rounded in all aspects of the fruit of THE SPIRIT so we will become fully matured as Sons and Daughters. Our personal development must not be forsaken in order to comply to the masses.
In verse 25 the phrase “don’t worry” is translated “take no thought” in the King James Version therefore do not take or accept those thoughts that contradict FATHER’S Word to us. It is our individual responsibility to “let not” those thoughts take up residence in our mind but instead replace them with the sure promises of FATHER.