5 Ways To have Peace With God, Yourself And Others - Joyce Meyer

We can have a lot of things in life, but if we don’t have peace, we’re never going to truly enjoy our lives the way God intended.

 

First Peter 3:11 (AMP) is one of my favorite scriptures. It says, “Let him search for peace…and seek it eagerly. [Do not merely desire peaceful relations with God, with your fellowmen, and with yourself, but pursue, go after them!]”

“Pursue” is a strong word. It requires action and doing whatever it takes to maintain peace in our lives. It means not always getting “our way” or having the last word in an argument. It requires us to trust God even more with the people in our lives. But it’s all worth it. Are you ready to enjoy new levels of peace? If so, here are some ways you can cultivate peace with God, yourself and others…

 

 

1. Receive God’s forgiveness.

 

Peace with God is the foundation for peace in every other area of our lives. Jesus is the “Prince of Peace,” (Isaiah 9:6) and it’s only through a relationship with Him that we will ever experience true contentment. When we sin, the greatest thing we can do is repent, ask God to forgive us, and then make a decision to not live in guilt. Guilt is useless. Constantly feeling guilty actually weakens us and causes us to fall into more sin.

 

I encourage you to read and meditate on 1 John 1:9 (AMP): “If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just…and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness….”

 

 

2. Make a decision to like yourself.

 

This may sound funny to ask, but what kind of relationship do you have with yourself? The truth is you can’t get along with anyone else until you get along with you.

 

For years, I dealt with self-hatred because of the sexual abuse I endured growing up. Because I didn’t like myself, it was almost impossible for me to enjoy peace with my husband or other people. However, as I spent time in God’s Word and asked Him to change me, I eventually began to see myself the way He sees me; I began to like myself! I encourage you to find out what God says about you in His Word. Ask Him to help you change your self-image. Because enjoying life and enjoying other people all begins with knowing who God says you are and truly liking yourself.

 

 

3. Don’t compare yourself to others.

 

Comparing and competing with other people is one of the fastest ways to lose your peace and joy. There is such freedom in learning to be happy with who you are without being jealous of someone else’s skills or achievements.

For example, I have a friend who likes to memorize parts of the Bible. There was a day when I would have been threatened by that, feeling like I should do the same thing. I know a lot of Scripture, and I have even memorized several verses, but memorization has never been my strength…and that’s okay. It doesn’t mean I am less spiritual or somehow not as good as my friend. It just means I am being myself!

 

 

4. Accept other people just the way they are.

 

I almost wore myself out trying to change people until I realized they’re not all supposed to be like me. We are all born with different God-given personalities and were never meant to be the same. For example, my husband Dave is easy-going and has the ability to enjoy just about anything he does. I’ll never forget our grocery trips as a young married couple.

I had my list and was serious about accomplishing our mission. Dave, on the other hand, was pushing the kids around in the cart, laughing and having a great time. It made me so mad! Dave has always been a very wise and responsible man, but I wanted him to be “serious” like me.

 

When I finally stopped trying to change him, it brought tremendous peace. Now, I truly enjoy and value Dave’s personality. In fact, over the years the Lord has helped me to enjoy my life and be even more like him! Sure, we all have areas where we truly need to change, but only God can change us. The best thing we can do for others is to pray for them…and accept them right where they are.

 

 

5. Let God have control of your life.

 

Proverbs 16:9 (AMP) says, “A man’s mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure.” I used to have a plan for everything – including my husband, my kids and my ministry – and would sometimes get frustrated if things didn’t go accordingly.

In other words, I wanted the Lord to do things my way! However, God is smarter than we are, and He wants us to place our trust in His great plan for our lives. I often say that trust requires unanswered questions. In the moment, we may not always understand “why,” but like the psalmist David we can say, “My times are in Your hands” (Psalm 31:15). Later on, we’ll look back and discover the Lord had our best in mind all along.

 

I encourage you to continue trusting God even when things don’t make sense. It’s one sure way to enjoy your life…and experience more peace than ever before.

 

 

 

 

5 Ways To have Peace With God, Yourself And Others - Joyce Meyer

12 Scriptures on That Talk About Peace

Our world is full of violence, and our daily lives can be marred by conflict and turmoil. But God promises His people a peace that surpasses all understanding.

Are you struggling with an area of your life today and looking for peace? The Bible has some great verses about the topic of peace.

Speak these scriptures out of your mouth and do the things that are pleasing to God. When you receive His faith in your heart you will also receive His peace in your heart.

Peace is the inward indicator that He is fully involved on your behalf. Peace is the emotion of faith and a fruit of the Spirit.

When we study the Bible and the topic of Peace, a great place to start is with the words of Jesus Christ.

 

Jesus talking about Peace:

Matthew 11:28-30  Come to me, all 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.”

John 14:27  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.

John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

John 20:19  On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them,  “Peace be with you.”

 

Other Scriptures That talk about Peace  (From the NIV):

Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

Isaiah 53:5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.

2 Thessalonians 3:16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.

Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.

Psalm 34:14 Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

Colossians 3:15  Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Numbers 6:25-26 the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.”

12 Scriptures on That Talk About Peace

The Difference Between "Peace With God" and the "Peace of God"

By Dan Delzell

Have you ever noticed the difference in the New Testament between “peace with God,” and the “peace of God”? One is like stone, and the other is like the ocean. One deals with justification, while the other deals with sanctification.

The apostle Paul explained “our position” as Christians and “our standing” in Christ: “Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.” (Romans 5:1, 2)

In other words, the relationship has been established. It is solid. We don’t move in and out of it depending upon how closely we walk with the Lord hour by hour. The connection is rooted in Christ and therefore constant, just like a child’s relationship in the family. Even at those times when the child is misbehaving, the relationship between parent and child is still locked in place. It is set in stone.

Now compare that permanent reality to water at a beach. At times, the water is fairly calm. At other times, waves pound the shoreline. There is an ebb and flow as waves are created by the friction between wind and the water on the surface. Things can change dramatically from hour to hour.

This is similar to the way a Christian experiences the “peace of God.” Sometimes a believer’s heart is calm, while at other times it feels like an ocean is churning inside of you.

Paul addressed this spiritual dynamic when he wrote, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:4-7).

God’s peace is felt by believers. It is experienced. Unlike our “peace with God” through faith, this “peace of God” is something that seems to fluctuate, especially when our behavior is erratic. In other words, the more we rejoice, pray, trust, obey, give thanks, and present various requests to God, the more the “peace of God” seems to fill our soul. There is a strong correlation between our choices and our peace, or lack thereof. Sometimes our heart is tranquil. At other times, our emotions are tossing and turning.

This doesn’t mean that all of our anxiety is the result of something “we didn’t do right.” Sometimes anxiety rushes into our heart even though we have been praying and trusting. Life has a way of throwing us quite a few curve balls. Challenges come our way all the time. And we are still human. We are prone to getting upset and bothered. We tend to worry and fret over many things. And yet, God’s promise about the “peace of God” remains in tact for all of His children. It is always available. Our job as believers in this regard is clear: Rejoice always; be gentle; don’t be anxious; pray; give thanks; and present your requests to God. When we put these things into practice, we usually experience much more peace in our heart.

While all of these feelings are fluctuating, our relationship with God remains in tact. It doesn’t change. We are in His family through faith in Christ, and are therefore at “peace with God.” What a blessing it is to know that our eternity in heaven is secure even when the waves of pressure and stress are washing ashore in our heart.

The Christian life isn’t easy, and it isn’t natural. It is natural to worry, and complain, and try to solve everything ourself. The life of discipleship, however, is a supernatural experience. It is also one of reliance upon God in all things. And this practice isn’t learned over night. In fact, I think most of us who are believers fully recognize that we are still a work in progress.

Meanwhile, Jesus is busy “preparing a place” for us in His heavenly kingdom. (John 14:2, 3) In that land, we will never experience even a moment of anxiety or pressure. Everything will be calm, joyful, and peaceful. Until that day, we “press on toward the goal,” (Phil. 3:14) knowing that we are not alone, and that our Savior will never leave us or forsake us. (Matthew 28:20)

So if you are a Christian, take tremendous comfort in the fact that you have peace “with God.” And then do those things hour by hour that help to facilitate the peace “of God” in your heart. By doing so, you will enjoy your Christian life much more than when you are worrying about the details. Each one of us is guilty of worry at times, but we can learn how to bring our anxiety to the Lord in prayer.

Christ is the author of peace with God, which leads to the peace of God. One is like stone, and the other is like the ocean. And you can have both if you really want them. So how strong is your desire to experience peace?

The Difference Between "Peace With God" and the "Peace of God"