Advent 2020: Week 2-Choose Peace

Does peace seem elusive this Advent season? Here we are in the season of celebration of Jesus’s birth, and things seem anything but peaceful.

There is conflict in our world … division in our nations … unrest in our families … turmoil within ourselves.

How do you find peace when everything in and around you seems chaotic? You don’t have to find peace because it isn’t lost. If you choose to believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you have His peace!

Once again, we have to choose what we allow in our hearts and in our minds.

Choose to pray and choose to receive God’s peace.

Paul advises us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God, and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV)

We can pray to our loving Father God in moments of anxiety when things seem so out of control. We can ask for His help and offer thanksgiving for what we know He can provide. When we choose Father God, we can experience peace even if nothing changes about our circumstances.

Another way to experience God’s peace is to share it with someone else. If anyone you know is anxious, share this scripture passage with them. In doing so, you may also feel an extra measure of peace.

Choose to accept the gift of peace Jesus left us.

The apostle John records Jesus as saying, “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 NIV)

The world gives us many things; peace is not one of those things. The world causes us to be “troubled” and “afraid” with all that it entails. We can choose to dwell on the things of this world, but we will be better served choosing to meditate on the peace Jesus offers.

Choose to follow the Prince of Peace.

The prophet Isaiah foretold the birth of Jesus proclaiming, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given… And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6 NIV)

This is the One whom we anticipate as we journey through this season of Advent and expectation. Jesus is someone we can identify with because, although He was God’s son, when He was born, He was fully human. He experienced many of the same emotions and circumstances that we do. As our Prince of Peace, He left us the gift that could never be taken away: PEACE.

I’ll be honest with you: I’m talking to you as much as to myself. With all the uncontrollable events and situations this past year, I’ve been battling anxiety on many levels. I’ve been seeking peace and calm without doing these things that I’m suggesting to you. Today, I’m going to take my own advice and cry out to our Father God with the expectation that He will send His peace. I will also look for the ways the Prince of Peace is working in my life.

During this time of hustling and bustling to decorate your home, purchase your gifts, and prepare festive foods for your family, take time to choose PEACE. Rest in it and feel the presence of Father God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.