FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: PEACE

“Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.” – Mark4:39

REFERENCE:

Mark 4:35-41

Colossians 3:15 says, “Let the peace of Christ [the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts [deciding and settling questions that arise]. To this peace indeed you were called as members in one body [of believers]….” (AMP). Peace is another fruit of the Spirit that believers are to manifest; “To this peace indeed you were called….”

This peace comes from intimacy with the Holy Spirit, not from the world. The events and trials of this world try to take it from us, our associations often challenge it, bad news tries to kill it, anxiety about tomorrow seeks to expunge it, and danger calls it to test. Bible peace (Greek – ‘Eirene’) means quietness, rest, and to ‘set at one again.’ Hence, the absence of peace sets the heart in a frenzy of thoughts, but when it returns, the heart comes to a place of ‘oneness.’

From our text, Jesus showed what it is like when the fruit of peace is ripe and in full bloom in one’s life. He was asleep in the midst of a storm. Others in the same situation with Him panicked and cried out for fear of death, but Jesus slept through it. There was an unusual calm assurance within Him that all was and would be well. Peace does not mean the absence of storms, but serenity in the storm, guaranteeing God’s presence and backing.

When Jesus was ‘forced’ to wake up by His disciples, He commanded the sea to be at peace. What did He do? He imposed the peace within upon the storm without. Paul said in Colossians 3:15 that this inner calm should control your heart, deciding and settling questions or circumstances that arise. Such peace comes from a heart that is stayed or fixed on God, which knows that if God is in control, winds will cease, and storms will calm down.

Relationships may pull apart or break up, but the fruit of peace restores oneness in our hearts. Situations can go awry, but they are restored when peace comes. When you grow in the fruit of peace, you can superimpose it on agitating storms in your life, relationship, family, marriage, etc., and expect calm all around. Jesus is in your boat; storms cannot stop you.

PHOTO QUOTE

ADDITIONAL STUDY:

II Thessalonians 3:16, Isaiah 26:3, Philippians 4:6-7

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TO DO:

Invite the Holy Spirit into your heart today, ask Him to show up in your storm, and release His presence into any strained relationship – let Him bring rest and quietness, and make everything ‘one’ again.