How to Know God’s Peace in Hard Times

When was the last time you truly experienced God’s peace?

Maybe you had it once but lost it in the hustle and bustle of the daily grind.

Or perhaps you feel unlucky. Peace has always been just enough out of reach to suggest it’s not worth reaching for.

Before you give up on peace altogether, you need to read this week’s #SummerSizzleBlogHop feature by Deb Wolf.

Deb is a dear friend and mentor who, through her life and example, has spoken peace into my own life. From her struggles through grief and pain, she offers hope for the one in search of God’s peace. Not because it sounds good but because she’s been there.

The #SummerSizzleBlogHop series features nine inspiring Christian bloggers. We’ve revived our best Christian faith content from our treasure chests to encourage you this summer. If you missed any of our top-rated posts you can catch them all here.  And be sure to stop by next week to see who’s in the spotlight.

But for now, it’s Deb’s turn to shine! She’s serving up peace today. Are you ready to receive yours?

How to Know God’s Peace in Hard Times

By Deb Wolf

If you’d known me a little over a decade ago, you’d have said I was the last person in the world who should be talking about peace.

I was diagnosed with high anxiety depression, living in a constant state of agitation and worry.

Peace always seemed like it was just beyond my reach. I knew my lack of peace was a faith issue, but the truth about life’s “trials and sorrows” pushed the possibility of peace right out the door.

I knew Jesus’ words:

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NLT

They just didn’t translate into my everyday living.

I believed Jesus had overcome the world for my eternal future but I didn’t believe His overcoming meant I could be an overcomer.

I doubted the power of God’s peace in my life.

Truth…

Life is hard and there are plenty of things to worry about.

Maybe you’re worried about something now:

• Your health.
• Your children.
• Your finances.
• Your marriage.
• Your friendships.
• Your parents.

Add things you hear on the nightly news and it’s not surprising that more people are being medicated for depression and anxiety than ever before.

I’m going to make myself vulnerable here and tell you that although medication made me feel better it wasn’t able to give me peace.

God’s peace finally came as the result of a long journey through grief and pain. I needed His help just to get through the day. So, I spent every free minute reading my Bible. I cried out and God poured out.

He graciously allowed me to feel His presence and bit by bit allowed me to know His power to give me peace . . . incomprehensible unimaginable peace.

So today, I want to share 7 verses I hold close when I need to remember God’s peace even when life is hard.

Experience God’s Peace with these 7 Verses

1. God is With You.

Wherever you go and whatever your circumstances, you are never alone. God knows every detail of your struggle. Nothing is hidden from Him and nothing surprises Him.

He leads you. He protects your soul.

A blessing of peace with Him.

Your Spirit is everywhere I go.
I cannot escape your presence.
If I go up to heaven, you will be there.
If I go down to the place of death, you will be there.
If I go east where the sun rises
or go to live in the west beyond the sea,
even there You will take my hand and lead me.
Your strong right hand will protect me.
Psalm 139:7–10 ERV

2. God is Sovereign.

God is on His throne. He reigns over all things.

Nothing happens outside of His permission.

That has always been hard for me. Why would God allow His children to suffer pain? But I’m learning to trust the bigger picture of His will and trust that God is able to carry me through whatever He allows. He is in control.

A truth of unlimited peace.

The Lord is king! He is robed in majesty. Indeed, the Lord is robed in majesty and armed with strength. The world stands firm and cannot be shaken. Psalm 93:1 NLT 

3. God is Eternal.

Problems are Temporary. 

It can be hard to have an eternal perspective with your feet planted in the present. But with God’s help and your focus on enjoying His forever presence doing today with peace becomes a blessed possibility.

A promise of eternal peace.

We have small troubles for a while now, but they are helping us gain an eternal glory that is much greater than the troubles. We set our eyes not on what we see but on what we cannot see. What we see will last only a short time, but what we cannot see will last forever. 2 Corinthians 4:17–18 ERV

4. God is Preparing

The forever home God is preparing with Him includes the promise that every tear will be wiped away, and there will be no more death, sorrow, or pain.

A hope of enduring peace.

I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among His people! He will live with them, and they will be His people. God Himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” Revelation 21:3 NLT

 

5. God is Guarding

Quiet time with God is like a hedge of peace around each day. Laying concerns down before Him and trusting He will give everything you need that day.

A comforting indescribable peace.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6–7 NLT

6. God is Accomplishing

The Lord is always at work around and within you. He is able to give you peace even when everything around you feels overwhelming.

A prayer that gives peace.

Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3:20 NLT

7. God is Loving

God is for you. He loves you. He wants you to enjoy true and lasting peace. So much so that He provided everything you need. Everything.

A gracious gift of peace.

If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since He did not spare even His own Son but gave Him up for us all, won’t He also give us everything else?  Romans 8:31–32 NLT

I hope these verses bless you with peace.

God is . . . with you, sovereign, eternal, preparing, guarding, accomplishing, and loving.

He is able to give you peace. Enough to overcome any problem you face today.

How about you?

What verses do you cling to when you long for peace? Share them in the comments to encourage your sisters on the journey.

Meet Deb

Deb is a passionate blessing counter who loves to study the ways faith and life intersect. This year at Counting My Blessings, she is sharing The Relationship Project – How One Relationship Affects All Others.

Deb lives in Missouri with her husband and furry child, Sadie now that all of their human children are grown and have little ones of their own. And yes, being a grandparent is the best!

She’s hoping you will join her on Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter.

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