Are you stressed out? Does a quiet retreat sound good? Are you looking for a get away in the midst of chaos? Make sure you’re not looking for peace in wrong places. C.S. Lewis reminds us “God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.” There’s no peace without Jesus. No matter what the world says.

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect]peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.] (John 16:33, AMP, emphasis added)

We can only have peace in Jesus. What does it mean? First of all, it means there’s no peace without Jesus. No matter how serene a place looks like, it does not bring you peace. A life without distress does not bring peace. A life without money problems does not bring peace. There’s no peace without Jesus because there’s no peace apart from Jesus.

Second of all, we can have peace – despite of circumstances – when we abide in Jesus. We can have perfect peace in Jesus anywhere, anytime. Like Ann Voskamp has said “Peace is a person, not a place”. When you learn to abide in Jesus, you will always have peace. No matter how dire circumstances surround you.

There’s no peace without Jesus. But there’s perfect peace in Jesus waiting for you.

 

Gracious God,
Thank you for giving us Jesus,
the prince of peace.
Thank you that we can always find peace in you.
Thank you for being our peace,
always with us wherever we are.
Help us to remember that peace is not found
anywhere but in you.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Q4U: Have you learned there’s no peace without Jesus?

Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you abide in the Prince of Peace!

Photo courtesy of Mari-Anna Stålnacke. Linking up today with Sharing His Beauty, Small Wonders, and#InspireMeMonday.