Hope in Our Crazy World - Pt 4

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. 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 14:26-27 ESV).

Jesus says in the midst of any troubling circumstance: "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." (v. 27). Judah Smith writes, "How much of the pain and suffering in the world is caused by humans willfully pursuing their own desires? Peace—that essential, elusive, universal need of mankind—is restored to us in Jesus. God’s peace is first and foremost peace with him. It is an internal, spiritual wellness that is the foundation for peace in every other area." May I also say, God calls us to walk in His peace, not add our voices to the world's chaos. Now this doesn't mean we shouldn't speak truth to culture. There are times for this, but our tone, motivations and heart should be completely opposite of this world. Listen to a few challenges from God's Word about how people of peace should live and look (cf. Ephesians 5:12). We don't need to hear and pass on everything that others do wrong. We need to take a step back, and live like we are from a different Kingdom. James said, "With our tongue we bless God, and then curse men who are made in the likeness of God. Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. This should not be!" (James 3:9-10). Christians cannot be people who curse the darkness, but rather those who light a candle. We don't fight darkness with darkness. This allows us to be fundamentally different in our opinions and responses than the culture around us. By doing this we can build hope into the fabric of our lives. It shows the glory of God when Christians watch culture rage, and yet don't feel the need to speak to all of it. Instead, we weep and pray, simply trusting the One who is sovereign to work on our behalf and glorify His Name in the midst of it all. And the darkness of our time causes our light to shine even brighter. Instead of hate, we promote love. Instead of cutting words, we show honor to all. Instead of lifting up wickedness, we live with utmost purity. We live, and breathe and act as those from a different Kingdom. This does not mean retreating to “live under a rock.” It means we acknowledge that we weren’t chosen to live in toxic emotions but in the peace of God. So, the next time you read something on social media stop and pray before you hit the comment button and get drawn into the anger and hatred of unprofitable banter. This allows God's peace to fill our weary souls and produce hope.