‘May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit’ (Romans 15:13 NIV).

Last year my Christmas message was: ‘Don’t lose your JOY this Christmas!’ Well, this Christmas it is:

‘Don’t lose your PEACE this Christmas!’

Let’s understand the difference between the peace of the kingdom of this world against the peace of the kingdom of God:

First, we need to know that there is not only military war in this broken world that can steal your peace but also an economical war; a domestic war; a political war; a commercial war; and the list goes on.

Our world is craving for real peace. They talk about it, they sing about it, they dream about it and turn to all kinds of things to try to find it. What they often find, however, is the world’s deceptive peace, which is different from the everlasting peace offered by Jesus. For the peace offered by the world is an empty promise and can only bring temporary relief. However, God’s peace is an everlasting peace offered by the only One who is called the Prince of Peace and can be trusted to keep his Word when He says:

‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid’ (John 14:27 NKJV).

Also, let’s never forget that He is Jehovah Shalom, meaning ‘The Lord is Peace,’ one of many Old Testament names for God and the first used by Gideon when the Angel of the Lord appeared to him at Ophrah (see Judges 6 NIV).

Therefore, as we move towards this Christmas, I want to help you to not lose your peace – or if you have lost it to regain it, and here is how: 

1. When we make God our REFUGE AND STRENGTH

When we develop a lifestyle of making the Lord our refuge and strength, we begin to live in the peace of God as highlighted in the Psalm: ‘God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble’ (Psalm 46:1 NIV). Here holds the secret to know how to live in the peace of God as found in the Psalm: ‘Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”‘ (Psalm 91:1-2 NIV).

That secret place in our hearts is where we go to meet with God. When we choose to abide there under His shadow, remaining in constant communion with Him, we can truly reside peacefully, even when the circumstances that we are experiencing are at their worst. When we learn to cry out to Him in times of trouble, we find that His peace really does pass all human understanding, as highlighted in Philippians 4:7.

2. When we accept from God the GIFT OF PEACE

Scripture tells us: ‘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).

What a great promise! The Lord Jesus gave us His peace. Our Heavenly Father as the everlasting God of peace is our unique source of true peace, which is very different from what the world has to offer. Can I say to you that this broken world is in real turmoil and not a place where you find everlasting peace. But no matter how impossible our outward circumstances may seem, we can enjoy true and lasting peace right in the middle of our storms as I have personally experienced, even in the most tragic of circumstances.

3. When we understand that in Christ, we can be an OVERCOMER

We are reminded; ‘I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world’ (John 16:33 NIV).

The Lord never promised a bed of roses in our lives; in fact He clearly said ‘in the world you have trouble’. Although we are saved, we are not immune from suffering, problems, and difficulties; but these words from the Lord Jesus can bring us comfort, assuring us that even in the midst of our trials we can have peace.

4. When we earnestly PRAY

‘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).

This means that as believers we can speak directly with God, the creator of heaven and earth, who has all power and authority, who is in total control of all our circumstances and instead of anxiety we are to humbly and gratefully approach God with whatever is on our minds.

How wonderful that God has given us the secret weapon of prayer! Ephesians 6 reminds us that we ‘do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places’ (Ephesians 6:12 NKJV). Therefore, we need to understand the importance of our weapon of prayer if we are to overcome the Enemy. Accept the gift of peace found in the abiding refuge that we have in Christ our Lord.

So, this Christmas, enjoy the peace of God that surpasses ALL UNDERSTANDING and remember that the key that unlocks the treasure chest of God’s peace is faith in the promises of God.