We all face circumstances and situations that can challenge our peace. No one is exempt. Jesus tells us in advance that in this world there will be trials & tribulations. He is so kind to let us know in advance. He desires for us to be prepared. He instructs, prepares us, & gives Himself. He is our provision. “I have said these things to you, that in Me, you may have peace.” John 16:33.

God’s Word is replete regarding peace. Much of The Word of God points us to Peace. The Old Testament and New Testament alike speaks about Peace & gives us wisdom in obtaining this Powerful gift. We live in a world that is full of hate, bitterness, depression, oppression, manipulation, envy, strife, lack, confusion, bad news, and surmounting continual life events that are very hard. There are many vicious tactics of the enemy that are indeed peace robbers and ready to steal from us at an opportune time. We cannot afford for our flesh to yield to our adversary.

1. Doubt & Fear will take our peace. This can creep in with a bad health diagnosis, financial hardship, overwhelming responsibility & loss.
2. Pride, insecurity, jealousy, striving, & covetousness are robbers of peace.
3. Unforgiveness, bitterness, offense, fault finding, & relationship Conflicts undeniably causes a forfeit to our peace.
4. Besetting sins (a sin that a person struggles with often & needs deliverance.) Lying, gossiping, anger, lust, laziness, drugs, alcohol, (to name a few) keeps us in unrest, & a troubled tormented mind takes our peace.
5. Selfishness & a me, my, mine, mentality steals our destiny, eternal perspective, & peace.
6. Disobedience and compromise to the leading of Holy Spirit causes unrest and therefore our peace is taken.
7. Ungratefulness, murmuring & complaining strips us of peace. Praise is a mighty force that protects our Peace.
8. Neglect of God’s Word. Neglect of quiet Times with The Lord. Neglect of Praise to Jesus for who HE is. Neglect & Compromise will create a huge deficit of Peace. He is to be top priority. Praise to Him should be no matter what is going on in our lives.
9. Not Giving to advance God’s Kingdom with ourselves, gifts, talents, & resources that God has blessed us to steward will cause an undeniable lack in peace as we are not co-laboring with peace Himself.
10. Neglect of Corporate Worship, & Church Attendance with others of like precious faith can rob us of peace

The Bible tells us about peace that passes all understanding. We cannot fully grasp this priceless gift with our natural mind. It is a tangible manifested calmness that is in us and upon us even in the midst of overwhelming responsibilities, attacks, & trials. Peace must be encountered. How does one steward the gift of Peace that Our Creator desires for us to live in & also for us to disperse upon others? Peace is a Person. The Lord Jesus is our Peace. Nothing or no one can be our peace other than Him. If we neglect our relationship & thriving intimacy with Him, we set ourselves up for opened doors to unrest. When we pursue Him with our whole heart & yield to Him to write the script of our lives, there is peace. We no longer have to strive or try to manufacture (as if we even could), a strategy regarding the directions for our lives. We become like HIM when we dwell with HIM. Peace Himself becomes peace in us. We get to carry Him & disperse Him into chaos that is so prevalent in this world. In order to keep our minds on The Lord, & our hearts etched to His, we must live in His Presence by walking, breathing, & living in The Spirit. It is not enough to visit Him now and then. We must homestead, we must abide, John 15:5. “He will keep in perfect peace whose mind is stayed upon Him.” Isaiah 26:3. We experience peace when we call to mind the character of God and the promises of God. Romans 8:38-39 states, “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing shall be able to separate us from the Love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Pray & Praise! Philippians 4:6-7 states, “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 understanding will guard your heart and mind though Christ Jesus.” The Old Classic Hymn states, “O what Peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry everything to God In Prayer!

It is interesting that many of the epistles written by the early Apostles ended their letters with Multiplied Grace and Peace to you. Those early Apostles knew the pricelessness of the precious gift of Grace and of Peace!! Do not forfeit your Peace and do not withhold in giving Peace to others. Jesus said, “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. IT IS A PRICELESS GIFT! PROTECT IT!