I am sure there has been a time in your life that you were searching for peace but things seemed to be swirling all around you like a tornado. Maybe the children were acting up, your significant other “just didn’t understand,” work was crazy, and something was disrupting the flow of your entrepreneurial journey. Life was LIFing and you didn’t know what to do. Maybe you’d lost hope in a dream or that the open door would never open for you and you just didn’t feel that you had the strength to keep going.
Can I tell you that I have been there more times than I have time to share in this blog? Well, I actually have the time, but that’ll be a very long reading for you. I remember seasons in my life where I had that Philippians 4:7 peace that surpasses all understanding. The fire in the flame of hope and strength was shining bright and life was good.
Sister Friend! Oh, Sister Friend! Let me tell you, there was a span of about two years in that I had many peaks and valleys where peace, hope, and strength seemed to evade me. There were more valleys than peaks and I was struggling. It was as though those three elements of peace, hope, and strength were playing hide and seek and I was having the hardest time finding them. I know God is always with me and that I had access to everything good that He created–including peace, hope, and strength. For some reason, I was struggling and in a dark place and unable to feel what He promised. (I’ll share that in another blog.)
For now, let’s focus on how the concept of peace, hope, and strength are integral to the belief in God. Throughout history, God has made promises to His people regarding these virtues, and they remain relevant to this day. Let’s explore God’s promises of peace, hope, and strength and how they can impact our lives.
God’s Promise of Peace
In a world that is often chaotic and uncertain, peace can seem like an elusive concept. However, God promises to provide peace to those who trust in Him. The Bible is full of passages that speak to this promise. In John 14:27, Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” This promise of peace is not dependent on our circumstances but rather on our relationship with God.
The peace that God promises is not just an absence of conflict or turmoil. It is a deep, abiding sense of calm that comes from knowing that God is in control. In Philippians 4:7, Paul writes, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” This promise of peace can sustain us even in the most challenging of circumstances.
God’s Promise of Hope
Hope is the belief that things can get better, and that there is a future worth looking forward to. For many people, hope can be hard to come by, especially in difficult times. However, God promises to give us hope. In Jeremiah 29:11, God says, “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
God’s promise of hope is not just about our circumstances getting better. It is about knowing that God is always with us, even in the midst of our trials. In Romans 5:3-5, Paul writes, “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
God’s Promise of Strength
Strength is the ability to endure and overcome challenges. It is something that we all need, especially in difficult times. God promises to give us strength. In Isaiah 40:29, God says, “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” This promise of strength is not just physical but also emotional and spiritual. God promises to sustain us through whatever challenges we may face.
In Philippians 4:13, Paul writes, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” This promise of strength means that we do not have to rely on our own abilities or resources. Instead, we can trust in God’s power to see us through.
Implications for Our Lives
God’s promises of peace, hope, and strength are not just abstract concepts. They have real implications for our lives. When we trust in God’s promises, we can experience a sense of peace that surpasses understanding. We can have hope in the future, even when things seem uncertain. And we can draw on God’s strength to help us overcome the challenges that we face.
However, it is important to remember that God’s promises do not mean that we will never face difficulties. In fact, the Bible is full of stories of people who faced great trials and tribulations. But what sets them apart is their trust in God’s promises. They knew that God was with them, even in the midst of their struggles.
In the midst of the chaos and uncertainty of life, we often find ourselves searching for peace, hope, and strength. Fortunately, for those who believe in God, there are countless promises in the Bible that offer comfort and assurance during difficult times.
Peace
The world can be a noisy and chaotic place, and it can be challenging to find peace in the midst of it all. However, God promises that he will give us peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). This peace is not dependent on our circumstances or external factors, but it comes from knowing and trusting God.
Isaiah 26:3 says, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you because he trusts in you.” When we keep our minds focused on God and trust in him, he promises to keep us in perfect peace. This peace is not just a lack of conflict or turmoil, but it is a deep sense of inner calm and tranquility that can only come from God.
Another promise of peace can be found in John 14:27, where Jesus says, “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.” This promise reminds us that the peace that comes from God is different from the peace that the world offers. It is a peace that can sustain us even in the most challenging times.
Hope
Hope is an essential part of the Christian faith, and God promises to give us hope in all circumstances. Romans 15:13 says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit, you may abound in hope.” This promise reminds us that our hope comes from God, and it is not dependent on our circumstances or our own strength.
Another promise of hope can be found in Jeremiah 29:11, where God says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” This promise reminds us that God has a plan for our lives and that his plan is good. Even when we can’t see what the future holds, we can trust that God has a purpose for us and that he will guide us along the way.
Strength
Life can be challenging, and we can often feel like we don’t have the strength to face our struggles. However, God promises to give us strength when we need it. In Isaiah 40:29, God says, “He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might, he increases strength.” This promise reminds us that even when we feel weak, God can give us the strength we need to face our challenges.
Another promise of strength can be found in Philippians 4:13, where Paul says, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” This promise reminds us that our strength comes from God, and we can do anything with his help. Whether we are facing physical, emotional, or spiritual challenges, we can trust that God will give us the strength we need to overcome them.
God’s promises of peace, hope, and strength are a source of comfort and assurance for Christians in all circumstances. These promises remind us that we are not alone in our struggles and that God is with us every step of the way. As we face the challenges of life, let us hold onto these promises and trust in God’s goodness and faithfulness.