One of the struggles in my life has been dealing with change. I have not always been great when facing change, but through the numerous times, I have learned where to turn when everything around me is changing: God alone. There are four key attributes that make Him dependable in times of change. This post is the first of four that will go over them, starting with His unrivaled, freeing, and lasting peace.

Unrivaled

“Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.]” John 14:27

One of my favorite verses in the Bible, and the backbone of this whole post is John 14:27. Jesus talks about having peace in many verses, but this one stands out to me. This verse takes place in Jesus’ last moments with His disciples before His crucifixion. It is a very intimate moment relative to Jesus preaching to the great crowds. In His final hour, Jesus chooses to teach His disciples about His peace just one last time. He knows it is extremely important and vital for His follower to grasp. He uses this time contrasting His perfect peace with that of the world. God’s peace is far greater than what the world falsely calls peace. What the world calls peace at its best, is nothing but a momentary break, whereas God’s is a perfect peace. It doesn’t always bring a break in the tossing sea, but it brings the quietness even in spite of the sea. It holds the trembling, shelters the fearful, and it’s the whisper amidst the screams. The world’s false peace pales in comparison. Once you feel the peace of God, you will never want the cheap knock-off peace the world offers.

Lasting

“Now may the Lord of peace Himself grant you His peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with you all.” 2 Thessalonians 3:16

“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

As I said earlier, at its best the world’s peace is a momentary break that fails after time. It is similar to when you are driving in the rain and quickly pass an overpass, for a second there is relief from heavy rain, but a split second later it returns just as hard. God’s peace does not just last longer; it lasts for eternity. He is more of a sturdy shelter rather than a passing overpass. The peace does not dim over time, it remains just the same. Neither does it weaken through the trials and tribulations faced in life. God’s peace is not a limited resource that will run dry one day. God provides His perfect peace in the easy and the trying, the same today, tomorrow, and forever. The same God who has comforted King David will also comfort you for as long as you live and even beyond that. If you are a Christian, then you have the eternal peace found in the promise of Heaven. But everyday until then, stay steadfast in the peace of God.

Freeing

“Casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully].” 1 Peter 5:7

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened [by religious rituals that provide no peace], and I will give you rest [refreshing your souls with salvation].” Matthew 11:28

When you start to grasp how perfect and lasting God’s peace is, something changes in you, the assurance of having that peace frees you. It frees you to, as 1 Peter says, cast all your anxieties onto God. Jesus promises that when we go to Him, He will give us rest. We were never meant to carry our burdens, but to hand them over and receive Jesus’ promised rest. No longer do you need to worry about every little detail and let those fears fester. Do not let doubt rule your thoughts, rather dwell in the truth of God’s peace. So when change comes and you need to lean on God’s unrivaled, lasting, and freeing peace.