Where I found peace.

Peace(n.)—freedom from disturbance; tranquility

This is how many of us define the word peace, from the viewpoint of the many lexicons and scholars, we find that peace means to be free from any distractions, in a state of living with a calm mind. For this definition is enough for colloquial conversation, it is far from perfect, therefore let us look deeper and find a more eternal truth to this.

John 16:33 (ESV)
“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.”

Simply said, this is where we can find peace. This explanation to peace would do not justice if it were to end here.

John 14:27 (ESV)
“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.”

Now, we see where the peace of God is not in. Peace will not be found in this world, it will not be like this world, nor will it ever be produced in this world.

Unfortunately peace by this definition is not in social media.

Tweets are firing hotter than snap streaks. Facebook in engulfed in flames higher than the buildings being destroyed in riots. Bridges and buildings are being burned, both figuratively and metaphorically. Seeing so much emotion, not founded on any one goal is a perfect storm for emotional stress and will fuel anxious thoughts.

These anxious thoughts are created by hours upon hours are refeshing feeds and timelines on social media. We need to spend less time watching others broadcast opinions in bedrooms, and basements across the country and more time rooted and focused on our values and beliefs if we want to make a difference that will stand further than just the end of the road.

How can one peacefully protest when they have no peace inside of them?

For peace to be found, we must first be in a place to where we can hold on to it; also our hands must be open to receiving it. Peace must held when we have an absolute understanding that we can’t hold onto any pride or feelings.

Instead of change, many are simply being carried away higher and higher with their emotions on a rush, a desire to be included in the greater movement, but when you join a movement that never moved you, you will be in a constant state of anxiety. You heart wants your hands and feet to move somewhere else, yet your feelings are carrying them elsewhere. This is not healthy.

Where and when you finally find peace: in the unknown

You can find your peace in the same place where many have found their faith. In places where the future is uncertain, but your purpose is anchored. Being in a storm is often where God’s anointing is taking shape, and many people may already know that it does take feeling a burden from your calling to get to that annointing. What people so wrongfully assume that is that it is painful to find peace and purpose.

From the outside, seeing the storm, the pain, your situation and circumstances, it will seem extremely painful, and people will ask how you’re able to do it. This is simply because you are not on the outside, but on the inside.

“I believe in Christianity as I believe the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything.”

-C.S. Lewis

Imagine being on the outside, seeing a storm, all your see if the chaos, but when you see through the storm, you find out the chaos moved everything that lacked a firm foundation. When we decide to see through the inside instead of the outside of storms, we can find peace.

In every storm you go through in life, there is a promise at the end. This is why I believe that God has positioned rainbows to come at the end of a storm, the bigger the storm, the brighter the colors.

Peace and purpose are painful at times, but as Christian who have already sold out their body and signed to die as martyrs, this isn’t a focus for them. The focus is being able to fulfill their God-given mission and they’re driven to be able to achieve that purpose no matter what the cost may be.

This is peace, a power that is not free from the storm, but instead greater than the storm.