“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace BECAUSE YOU TRUST IN HIM. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭15:13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11:28-30‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭9:6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

We all seek peace. World peace, peace in our homes, peace in our minds, just a sense of peace anywhere we can get it. We meditate, organize, clean, exercise, we do nothing, anything to help generate peace. And sometimes it works, for a moment. Only for a moment.

I started learning archery. And when I had the class there was so much noise. Families were there shooting, kids were playing behind us, the wind was howling outside, and our teacher was loud (he had to be, but it was still distracting). To aim I had to focus, to focus I needed quiet. There was no quiet. I tried breathing, but then I heard me and I was too loud. When I held my breath, I was too tense. Finally I just growled and said, “God, nothing’s working.”

“You haven’t tried me.” Was the quiet reply.

Blinking, I took a deep breath, notched the arrow, and said, “Okay God, what now?” And in the sudden quiet I heard a whisper.

“Look and release.”

I hit the target (not the bullseye but the red part) and the noise resumed. And the noise continued, but I could still shoot. I could focus. I sought God. I trusted Him.

It’s the same with peace. No matter what we do, it cannot substitute God. Everything else is a copy or a mock of peace, an escape. It might feel good for a while, but if it’s not God (or from Him), it can only last for a while. Like a drug.

Don’t be an addict, searching for the next hit of peace. Unable to do anything till you find it. Then you find yourself in a cycle more tiring than peaceful. You will only have a fleeing peace. A peace you must chase.

But if you seek the Prince of Peace, you will find a peace that will stay with you, if you stay with Him.