Do you really trust Him?  

Imagine living a life always knowing there would be problems, but there would be no one to help. But to be left on your own, to deal with the big problem(s) and that no one understands the magnitude of the problem(s). On top of that, there is the embarrassment, the humility, the inner torment of being unable to figure out a solution to the problem(s).

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace.                                                                                                                      

In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.

John 16:33

As I was reading this Bible verse today, it occurred to me, that many people live like that. I have most definitely tried it.

Now, it’s one thing to have a huge problem, but to have no inner peace in times of tribulation, – that seems like having a problem, on top of a problem.

The problem of not having any peace causes us a lot of times, to make the wrong decisions, because we want a quick solution to our problem(s).

Many people are confused about this scripture because one does not feel at peace in the midst of problem(s).

So not only having the problem(s) but also never having any real inner peace, and not knowing how to abide in peace, and on top of that, the Word states, that if we know Jesus, we should have peace, but we don’t! So, there is an add-on to the problem, and that is “no peace”.

When we look up the word peace in the dictionary, there is a description of requirements that show the importance of understanding the need to trust Him. Which is the actual peace.

Peace equals trusting solemnly in Christ alone. This is a virtue that is being poured out within our hearts. (Covering this part in my next article).

The Greek word eiréné is the word that is used in this incidence in John 16:33. Let’s take a look at the meaning of the first part of the word.

It states as follows:

It describes:

1)                  Harmonious between men

2)                  Between nations

3)                  Friendliness

4)                  Freedom from molestation

5)                  The harmonization between God and man, accomplished through the Gospel

Exerts from Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary.

From this, we can understand what Jesus is referring to in this incident, and that is, He will bring order to a chaotic situation. That means we will properly still experience the roaring of the emotions, but when we stay in Him, meaning keep waiting for Him, He will bring order to the problem(s) the way He sees fit. Not what we think is the right way or the way it should be.

It is clear, that the ability of peace is not something that is residing within the carnal man, but the ability is abiding in Christ alone.

The peace of Christ is connected to leaning in on and knowing His love for His people. We simply must know His love for mankind and this is connected to understanding the Cross. The great act of His passion for mankind and by that Jesus gave up His life so that there may be life in all areas.

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

John 10:10

The above scripture states, the answer to the problem(s), is connected to knowing Jesus.

He promises that knowing Him, He will grant peace in times of trouble. I find the peace He is alluding to is the ability to stay peaceful in the storms of life: knowing He has the answer to our problem(s).

It means that He will give the ability to refrain from acting out manmade solutions to the problem. This is actually the core of staying peaceful it is to fully trust that He has the answer to the problem(s).

The inner roaring of unrest may arise inside, there could be anxiety, confusion, and fear, and it might even be like this until the solution to the problem has come to an expected end. The peace in such conditions is only found when we keep trusting Him. Trusting Him is the key to peace, despite the inner roaring of emotions and not acting out in order to solve the problem(s) ourselves.

                                                                                  It’s not the peace we search for, it is Him we seek for.

Understanding that in times of trouble the feelings of the roaring of emotions in the carnal man are present but when looking for Him in the situation, peace arises. This is how to abide in peace.

The carnal man does not have the ability of peace in times of tribulations, how could it?

Since it’s not the author of peace.

People don’t just “find peace” out of the blue. Finding peace is at the place where the author of peace resides. Therefore, it’s a must to seek Him. Abiding is an active condition in seeking Him. It is the ability to stay spiritually awake, this is the training and the active and diligent seeking condition that is being awakened when undergoing difficult circumstances.

Jesus often asks us to wait because of timing, inner growth and most definitely learning to trust in Him.

It does not take long to understand that the way that Jesus solves the problem(s) is very different from what is to be imagined.

The way He is solving the problem(s) we find that many times it is connected to involving other people, some we never would consider ourselves, – to ask for help. I find that it is one of the ways that He is building His church.

Only Jesus knows what’s really at the core of people’s hearts, nobody else knows that. The carnal man, the flesh, tends to look at outer appearance. However, Jesus only looks at the condition of the heart. This is a very strong point that always needs to be taken into consideration and for us to become keenly aware of.

Over the years I’ve learned to trust Him in affairs, regarding people. He touches someone in their heart to reach out with the needed help, someone we would never consider paying attention to, mainly because of thinking, they don’t have the ability to do what’s needed.

Also, I found that the people who are most likely to be used by God are the broken vessels, people who have gone through some things in life, people who understand what it means to be in a difficult place.

In the next article, I’m going to dig even further into the meaning of the Greek word eiréné. For now, I’ve managed to cover one layer of the word, which I would consider the first layer we go through, before entering the virtue of peace.