(Be blessed by this post by guest blogger Sathiya Sam)

For probably 2 or maybe 3 years now, I’ve been extremely keen on the topic of peace. I had a season where no matter where in the Bible I was reading, peace always came up.  On more than one occasion, someone has prophesied over me that I carry peace with me and am a peacemaker.

Peace is an interesting topic, because no one ever views it as a bad thing; we obviously value it. A lot of people would say that if there was one thing they want, it is peace on earth. No more war, no more violence, no more corruption, etc.  Who wouldn’t say yes to that?

In heaven, if peace had substance it would be the oxygen. There’s peace everywhere. Heaven doesn’t exist without it.

In Matthew 10, when Jesus sends out the disciples, He tells them to release their peace when they enter a home and see if it returns. I believe that we all contain a peace inside of us that longs to be released. The source of this is the Holy Spirit, the most heavenly thing in us!

The Greek word for “peace” is eiréné. One of its definitions is “to join, to tie together into a whole.”

A major part of peace is keeping it together, or keeping it in one whole, when something tries to break you apart into pieces.

The reality is that on earth we won’t be free of all the antagonists of peace, but it doesn’t mean that we can’t have peace in the face of our antagonists.

Circumstances bring stress into our lives: bills have to be paid, courses need to be passed, medical appointments have to be made, relationships need to be maintained and repaired, unexpected tragedies happen, life-changing decisions have to be made, etc.; all of these are a part of life. Not to mention the attacks that come spiritually and psychologically–often these are major stressors in our lives. Yet peace can thrive in these situations!

So how do we get it? It’s actually more a question of how do we release it? (Remember you already have it inside of you). Philippians 4:6-7 says: “Be anxious for nothing, 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 minds through Christ Jesus.” 

We all know that thanksgiving is a good thing, but I feel like it’s underrated. Thanksgiving is important for releasing the peace of God because when we give thanks, it shifts our focus to our abundance and away from our lack. A simple reminder of how God has provided for you in the past is really all it takes for you to trust Him for it again.

“The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” (Rev 19:10). There’s something about us telling ourselves who God is and knowing what He wants to do in our trials that releases peace. And where peace is, His Presence is.

The world tells us that peace is when things get taken away and removed. God tells us that peace is when everything is together and whole.

So wherever you find stress, take a minute to search out things within the circumstance/person/situation to be thankful for, and release your peace.

Watch God’s peace that surpasses all understanding keep everything whole, because ultimately, peace is not an absence, but a Presence.

(Sathiya Sam is an anointed singer/songwriter, who serves as worship leader at Morgan’s Point United Church, Wainfleet. He also happens to be the son of Jeeva and Sulojana Sam)