Peace—the Steadfast Fruit

“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”
Jesus promised us peace. “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.” Just as Jesus calmed the stormy sea when His disciples thought their ship was sinking and they were about to drown, He can calm the storms of life and give you inner peace. This begins by turning to Him at the first sign of trouble. “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.”

King David learned this principle and practiced it in his psalms, many of which were actually prayers. He would begin by enumerating his problems to God, which inevitably caused him to remember God’s goodness and power, which set his heart and mind to rest, which helped him remain steadfast in his faith until conditions and the time were right for God to help him put those troubles behind him.

Peace in the Midst of Storm
At an art contest held to see who could best illustrate peace, most of the participating artists contributed tranquil scenes of lazy summer days in the countryside, where all was stillness and harmony.
Well, that’s a form of peace, but the picture that won the award illustrated the hardest kind of peace to have. Barely visible on a branch overhanging a raging, roaring, storm-swollen waterfall was a little nest where a tiny bird was singing peacefully away, in spite of the turmoil below.
That kind of peace comes only through the Prince of Peace—Jesus—and the knowledge that whatever happens, He’ll take care of you!
Peace of the running waves to you,
Deep peace of the flowing air to you,
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you,
Deep peace of the shining stars to you,
Deep peace of the shades of night to you,
Moon and stars always giving light to you,
Deep peace of Christ, the Son of Peace, to you.
—Traditional Gaelic blessing

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Galatians 5:22-23 ESV / But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

John 14:27 ESV / Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

Philippians 4:6-7 ESV / do not be anxious about anything, 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 hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.