Peace is not found in the circumstance. When you think of peace – and I am talking personal peace of heart and mind, not “world peace” here – do you immediately push it to the wayside as something unattainable? After all, who could have real peace? I mean there’s always something else to worry about, right? Always something that you’d really just love to change – things are hard, you’re not happy in your spirit, and changing your situation would fix all of that, right? I have learned otherwise. Sure, some situations are more stressful and trying than others – we would all like a calm, happy environment to reside in. However, changing your circumstances will not bring you the peace that you might think it would, only a cheap copy of true, deep-down, everlasting peace. I know; I have learned.

Imagine with me a moment. You are sailing the ocean in your ship, a mere speck in a vast area of shimmering water. The waters are growing rough and choppy; ominous dark clouds and deep rumbles of thunder come, bringing a lashing rain and lightning. Your little ship is being tossed like a toy and the waves are licking higher and higher up the sides of the craft, threatening to take you with them into a dark watery abyss. You are uncertain of what to do. Where is a safe haven? You have heard tidbits of information about a glorious Harbor, but you aren’t sure of its location. With no purpose except escaping immediate danger, you sail vainly about finding no safe spot to anchor your ship. You sail on and on – surely if you were able to get far enough from the squall you’d be safe. Finally the rain ceases and the waves settle somewhat. You are safe and all is well!….Or is it? No, it is simply a lull in the storm. The calm before the nightmare begins again. You are tired and so very weary of fighting by yourself. You collapse on the deck; you just can’t go on. What is the point? The storm rages and drags you around in it. You let it go – the belief that you could make a safe place for yourself, and even the thought that running away could make everything better. You are done worrying, done frantically searching for something you aren’t even sure exists. “Come unto Me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.” Rest – wouldn’t that be nice? “Peace I give to you; My peace I leave with you.” Peace? Was it possible? “Cast your cares on the Lord, and He will sustain you.” Could it truly be that simple? Was the thing you have been searching for right here all along? You lifted yourself up off the deck. And then you saw it. Never have you seen anything more welcoming or beautiful. Golden sunlight streams through the clouds, through the tattered ship’s sails, and envelops you like a warm, snuggly blanket. Now you have found that which before was only a whisper of a thought. It satisfies the restless place in your heart that you thought there was no cure for. It is His peace.

Joyce Meyer defines peace as “the continual tranquility of heart and life,” and that is how God describes His peace.  It isn’t about the circumstances. You can run, but the haunting thought that you aren’t truly at content and peaceful will always follow. There is only one place that you will find true peace, and that is the safe and sheltering arms of the Father. Once you have tasted the real deal, you’ll never be able to go back – I certainly wasn’t.