A "Not Fragile" Peace
This devotional was written by Jim Grams 
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. —John 14:27 

A few years back, my wife and I were preparing to move and we were carefully packing some of her "precious" things. She was wrapping each item with bubble paper and filling the empty spaces with that popcorn stuff. I was sealing the boxes and placing red fragile stickers on them.  But my wife wanted more. She wanted me to write "fragile" in big letters on all four sides. 

I'm sure the movers ignored the "fragile" signs, but my wife was happy! Not long ago, I was reading the above verse in the Living Bible paraphrase and was thrilled with this line…"And the peace I give isn't fragile like the peace the world gives." We live in a world full of fear and trouble, but we serve a Lord who tells us not to let our hearts be troubled or afraid. The package of peace Christ gives us is stamped "not fragile." What a gift.

People go through life searching for peace, and so many are looking in the wrong places. Peace of heart is never found in things. We can't buy it with wealth or through entertainment, and not even with love. The "Not Fragile Peace" Jesus is offering comes only through a relationship with Him. It's a peace that is unbreakable…we can beat on it, throw it around and take it anywhere we go. There are no circumstances that can destroy the peace of God in our lives. None!

Since Jesus tells us this is a gift, it's up to us to receive it. Let's allow the gift of peace to settle into our hearts and minds. His peace will replace our fears with confidence. God wants us to live our lives with His unbreakable peace.

GOING DEEPER:

1. Do you remember a day when a phone call or an event brought bad news that filled your heart with anxiety?

2. Take a moment right now and think about how you will be able to rest in God's peace the next time you receive bad news.

FURTHER READING:

Psalms 29:11; John 16:33; Romans 14:17-19 

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