Are you struggling to find Peace in a difficult circumstance? Having 10 adult children, and 13 grandchildren, I have been there and I understand.  Currently we are raising two of those grands due to an extremely difficult situation that temporarily stole my peace. A circumstance that could have turned my heart against God. So how does peace show up in a scenario like this? Only by the grace of God.

I believe that by God’s grace and mercy, He allows trials to come into our lives. Trials create an opportunity for God to work in us to become more like Christ. Paul tells us in Romans 5:3-5 (ESV) that suffering produces patience, perseverance, character, and hope. Many people believe that once you become a Christian it should be smooth sailing from there on out. But is that really what God promises us? 

If you look more closely at the Word of God, it tells us that we will have trials and tribulations. Jesus told His disciples this, so that in Him, they could have peace. He went on to tell them that in this world you will have trouble. But take heart for I have overcome the world! That is the good news. That is where we can find peace. These trials weren’t meant to crush us, but to help us to see our need for a Savior. They give us moments to pause and reevaluate our lives and see that we cannot save ourselves, but we need a Savior.

Often we harden our hearts when the pain feels like it is just too much to bear, and we shake our fists at God and ask why he did not protect us from this pain or trial. We will not find peace in this mindset for there is a wrong expectation on our part. How can there be peace when believing that God is a genie in a bottle waiting to fix our problems? God says that we are to pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV). Even when a child goes astray? Even when we lose a child due to addiction? Even when our friends abandoned us in our time of need? Yes, in “all circumstances.” God wants us to be constantly connected to our source of comfort, to Him. The Bible says that he will never leave us nor forsake us. (Deuteronomy 31:6 ESV). There is peace in that knowledge.

When we have a right understanding of who God is and what He has done for us, we can obtain the peace that the Bible talks about. When we understand that Jesus is the life preserver and that he wrapped around us, we can jump into this life with all its difficulties and not lose the peace that passes all understanding.

Remember that peace is not something the world can take away from you. Peace is not an emotion; it is an attribute of the Living God. We will have emotions in this life such as anxiety, fear, sadness, and still have our peace in Christ. Our peace comes from abiding in Christ. When we experience difficult and painful things, especially things we don’t understand, we must cling to the assurances and promises of God. “For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11-12 NIV).

So how can I have peace that passes all understanding when my daughter is an addict and we are raising our grandchildren? The answer is: I know that the God who saved me, not sparing his own Son that I may have eternity with him, is the author and finisher of my faith. He is not finished with me yet. My story is not over. It is not my job to fix these things. It is my job to believe and fix my eyes upon Jesus. I choose to sit in the knowledge that God is in charge and accept the peace he gives, not what the world gives.